File: Snow blankets Scottish towns as the Met Office issues two weather warnings
Eurostar has resumed operations after thousands of holidaymakers were left stranded wrecked at St Pancras due to cancellations caused by flooding in the Thames Tunnel.
The central London terminal was full people in tears who lost on Disneyland rides and devastated holidaymakers said their New Year’s plans had been “ruined” by the cancellations.
But on Saturday evening, the train operator announced that all services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam would resume on Sunday after the flooding was brought under control – although there could be delays due to speed restrictions, lack of of staff and bad weather.
In a statement, Eurostar said: “Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed which means that at least one tunnel can be used and a full service can be operated.”
The company added: “This unprecedented event has caused major disruption to customers today.”
Everything on Saturday Eurostar trains between London St Pancras International and mainland Europe have been canceled due to flooding in the High speed 1 Line near Ebbsfleet International.
Also affected today is Southeastern Railway which has said that none of its services will run between Ebbsfleet and London St Pancras International.
Full statement from Eurostar on Sunday services
Eurostar said: “Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been controlled by Network Rail High Speed , which means that at least one tunnel can be used and a full service can operate.
“There will be some speed restrictions in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.
“Unfortunately, this unprecedented event has caused major disruption to customers today.
“Customers are invited to visit the Eurostar website for more information about their journey and entitlement to compensation.”
Alex RossDecember 30, 2023 9:14 p.m
Eurostar services to restart but carriers have warned of delays and cancellations
Eurostar services are set to resume today with one tunnel now operational, the company said in a statement. However, he warned passengers to expect further delays and busy stations.
The “unprecedented” flooding was brought under control on Saturday evening, Eurostar said, meaning “at least one tunnel can be used”.
But speed restrictions and uncertainty surrounding the second tunnel mean further disruption is possible, the operator warned.
Delays and cancellations are also expected on some domestic routes on Sunday thanks to staff shortages and bad weather.
Passengers wait on the concourse at the Eurostar entrance at St Pancras International station
(PA wire)
Studies MishraDecember 31, 2023 06:30
Lack of train equipment affecting rail services
While the flooding of the high-speed tunnels under the River Thames has already caused chaos, staff shortages are also set to worsen transport woes on New Year’s Eve.
Northern Rail has warned of “significant” disruption today due to train crew unavailability.
Services will end earlier than usual, around 4pm, and are expected to be “extremely busy”.
The company has issued a ‘do not travel’ warning for these four routes including Heysham to Lancaster, Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Clitheroe to Bolton.
LNER has also canceled and altered some of its services from London King’s Cross station for tomorrow due to a shortage of train crews.
Studies MishraDecember 31, 2023 06:02
“Our plans are ruined”
Passengers stranded at St Pancras said the disruption had ruined their New Year’s Eve plans, which included going to Disneyland, seeing the Eiffel Tower and going to an ice hockey game.
Two newlyweds visiting from New York said their dream of seeing in the New Year at Disneyland Paris was shattered.
Nicole Carrera, 29, and her husband Christopher, 31, had to book for a train leaving at 2.30pm on Sunday.
Ms Carrera, who works for cosmetics firm L’Oréal, told the PA news agency: “We’ve been in London since Wednesday and we want to leave today because we actually have to go to Disney Paris tomorrow for New Year’s Eve.
“So obviously those plans are ruined because now we won’t get into Paris tomorrow until about 6 o’clock in the evening.”
Stephanie CockroftDecember 31, 2023 05:30
Can I fly home?
Air fares between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and London have reportedly increased, and many flights have been sold out.
The last place we have British Airways the flight from Paris to London on New Year’s Eve was sold at a fare of only almost £700.
Stephanie Cockroft31 December 2023 04:05
Will I receive cash compensation for a canceled train?
There is no possibility of an airline-style payment of hundreds of pounds. The best you can hope for is, if you travel with Eurostar, you can get the cost of your ticket refunded and/or a voucher for a future trip – despite having (eventually) traveled.
Stephanie CockroftDecember 31, 2023 03:00
More chaos ahead for travelers, Eurostar warns
Although Eurostar said services would return on Sunday, it warned of delays and busy stations.
The company said: “There will be some speed restrictions in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.”
Stephanie CockroftDecember 31, 2023 02:00
Elsewhere in the UK…
The Met Office has warned there could be disruption to domestic travel this weekend as windy conditions sweep across the UK.
A rain and snow warning has been issued for most of Scotland.
Stephanie CockroftDecember 31, 2023 01:00
What caused the leak?
The cause of the leak is still unclear.
Reports initially suggested that the flooding was caused by a “fire control system”. In a statement, Thames Water said: “We have been informed of an incident involving a pipe flooding the Eurostar tunnel. We believe the incident is related to a fire control system and not a pipe/asset of the Thames water, but we have a technician on the way to offer support to control the flow of water.
But a spokesman for HS1, which runs the route between London and the Channel Tunnel, said: “The source of the flooding will be the subject of an investigation, but at this stage we have no evidence to suggest that the system of fire control was related to the problem in any way.”
Stephanie CockroftDecember 31, 2023 00:05
Airfare rises after Eurostar closure
After Eurostar canceled trains today due to flooding, many turned to the other obvious mode of transport; air travel
This led to high airfares. A single British Airways flight from Paris to London is available on Sunday, at a one-way fare of almost £700.
The latest here on the situation from Simon Calder
Alex RossDecember 30, 2023 11:00 p.m
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