Severe Disruption Hits Eurostar and LeShuttle Services on New Year's Eve

Eurostar passengers faced significant disruptions on New Year's Eve after a power failure in the Channel Tunnel led to widespread train cancellations and delays. Many travelers found their holiday plans ruined as the incident left hundreds stranded, particularly at St Pancras and Gare du Nord. The chaos began early in the day when Eurostar announced that all services connecting London and Paris were suspended. One affected traveler, Jack Slater, shared his frustration, saying, "We're being advised to rebook for tomorrow, but all of the trains are fully booked already, so the only option would be to upgrade to a first-class seat, which is an extra lot of money." Drivers attempting to take the LeShuttle car train from Folkestone to Calais also experienced hours of delays, with the service suspended due to the power issue. Thankfully, by mid-afternoon, tunnel operator Getlink reported a gradual resumption of LeShuttle services on one track, suggesting that extra shuttles would be added to manage the backlog. However, Eurostar strongly advised against travel on the day, citing ongoing issues even as the tunnel began to partially reopen. Passengers were urged to postpone their journeys, with a Department for Transport spokesperson warning that significant disruptions would likely continue throughout the day. Despite some services resuming, Eurostar still faced cancellation of most trains throughout the day. The 1504 and 1804 trains from St Pancras to Amsterdam were set to terminate in Brussels instead of continuing to their intended destinations in the Netherlands. Additionally, Eurostar's website indicated that various London-Paris services remaining for the evening were still categorized as possibly facing delays or last-minute cancellations. As passengers queued at St Pancras for updates, it became clear that many were still in the dark about the status of their travel plans. Those who had their trains canceled were informed that they could either reschedule or claim a refund or an Eurostar voucher, with the promise of compensation for delays. For overnight delays, passengers were entitled to hotel accommodations or reimbursement. The ripple effects of this disruption extended to those who had already crossed into the French control zone at Folkestone, where they faced being stuck with no trains in either direction. Rory Boland, editor of Which Travel, highlighted the frustrations many travelers endure with their New Year's plans thrown into uncertainty, encouraging those affected to stay updated via the Eurostar website and consider alternate travel options. In summary, the breakdown of services through the Channel Tunnel has created a significant headache for travelers looking to board trains for their holiday celebrations, impacting both Eurostar services and the LeShuttle car train operation. As repair work continues, the hope is that services will resume fully in the near future, easing the distressing situation for all involved. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2