- High-speed rail providers canned after tunnels beneath the Thames fill with water
- Passengers hit out at prepare corporations over lack of know-how on journey plans
- Have YOU been affected this morning? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk
Around 30,000 livid Eurostar passengers have been left stranded at St Pancras International right this moment after a tunnel connecting Britain to mainland Europe was hit by flooding, seeing 43 worldwide providers axed.
Those hoping to ring within the New Year with family members in France, Belgium and the Netherlands have seen their festive plans squashed, with households – some headed to Disneyland – stranded in London in tears.
The disruption was sparked final night time after water stuffed tunnels at Ebbsfleet International in Kent, with chaos persevering with right this moment in any case excessive pace providers south of the Thames have been disrupted.
Some passengers raced on-line to try to ebook flights to try to salvage their end-of-year plans however have been confronted with hovering fares that have been reportedly rising by the minute.
Amongst the stressed-out crowd have been Dutch and French travellers making an attempt to return dwelling, with some not having the ability to perceive the choices accessible to them as recommendation on the Eurostar to rebook a prepare was solely supplied in English and French.
Other passengers hit out on the prepare operator for allegedly poor communications over whether or not or not trains would really run – at the same time as National Rail mentioned that the tunnels can be out of fee till the tip of the day on the earliest.
Travel journalist Simon Calder mentioned he had spoken to households ‘in tears as a result of their journey to Disney has been cancelled’ days earlier than New Year, with others desperately in search of out flights and ferries with a view to get their plans again on monitor.
Some, nonetheless, have tried to stay ‘optimistic and hopeful’ that their prepare will likely be ‘one of many fortunate ones that also goes’ regardless of the disarray on the station.
Have YOU been affected this morning? Email jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk
Passengers at St Pancras International Station in London on Saturday because it emerged that each one trains going south of the Thames, together with Eurostar providers, had been cancelled
Mike Hardie’s daughter Samira, 11, seems fed up after the household’s shock New Year journey to Brussels was solid into doubt by Eurostar cancellations
Tourist Nicole Carrera, whose plans to have fun New Year at Disneyland Paris together with her new husband have been ‘ruined’ after Eurostar providers have been pulled
Passengers sit on the flood of the concourse at St Pancras International station as they watch for information on their trains
Passengers verify their telephones for updates on their journey from St Pancras. Network Rail says no providers are anticipated to journey south of the Thames from the station right this moment
Some passengers took to X, previously Twitter, to accuse Eurostar of ‘ruining’ their festive journey plans. Others criticised the operator’s lack of communication
Southeastern Railway shared this picture of one of many tunnels at Ebbsfleet yesterday
A Eurostar discover at St Pancras informs passengers that the cancellations are resulting from ‘an infrastructure downside on the high-speed line’
Mr Calder reported that 30,000 individuals’s plans had been disrupted after at the very least 43 providers have been axed.
Engineers have been seen this afternoon arriving on the tunnel entrance of the High Speed 1 in an try to get the providers up and operating once more.
Anguished passengers sitting on the ground within the worldwide terminus have vented their anger on the operator over a lack of know-how, together with Christina David, 25, and Georgina Benyamin, 26, from Sydney, Australia.
They have been travelling in Europe for nearly a month and the ultimate cease of their journey is Paris, the place they hoped to spend New Year’s Eve earlier than flying dwelling on January 7.
The pair informed how they’ve ‘travelled Europe on a price range’ earlier than forking out on an ‘costly lodge with an Eiffel Tower view’ for the ultimate leg of their journey.
Ms Benyamin mentioned: ‘We travelled Europe on a price range after which like as soon as we hit New Year’s we will go onerous, watch Paris mild up, I do not suppose that is going to occur… I’m going to cry.’
She added that their ‘New Year’s plans are cancelled’, persevering with:’We booked one other prepare for tomorrow, we’re simply hoping that one does not get cancelled as nicely as a result of in any other case we’re really f*****, we do not know what to do.
‘As lengthy as we get to Paris that is what issues, to get our flight dwelling. Now now we have to ebook a lodge to remain for the night time right here.’
Engineers arriving on the entrance of the High Speed 1 railway line close to Ebbsfleet in Kent the place the tunnel flooded
Ms David added: ‘There have been plenty of individuals crying… we do not know the place to go, now we have nowhere to remain.’
A father who stunned his twin daughters with a visit to Brussels for New Year says his plans have been scuppered by the surprising cancellations, which have probably left him at the very least £900 out of pocket.
Mike Hardie, 40, and his accomplice Niecey had stunned 11-year-old twins Samira and Naima with the journey this morning, packing their suitcases and waking them up with the information they have been happening vacation.
Eurostar has booked his household onto an alternate prepare that’s meant to be leaving tonight — however with the tunnel more likely to be closed till the tip of right this moment and no alternate route, he admits he might should ‘take the hit’ and easily go dwelling.
Wealth supervisor Mr Hardie, from south-east London, informed MailOnline: ‘It’s not nice. The women are dealing with it fairly nicely however they’re gutted, since the entire thing was meant to be a shock. This has taken numerous the enjoyable out of it.
‘We’ve had no communication from Eurostar, we weren’t informed something – no e mail, no cellphone name, nothing. There have been hundreds of individuals queueing at St Pancras.
‘Eurostar would solely say it was ‘infrastructure points’ till we spoke to somebody face-to-face, who informed us it was flooding within the tunnels. We do not know for positive what’s occurring – it is all ‘perhaps’ this, ‘perhaps’ that.’
He added: ‘The most irritating bit is the shortage of communication. We’ve all been up since 5 o’clock this morning and our prepare was meant to be simply after 8am.
‘We’ve managed to get one other prepare booked for 7.30pm however even now I’m questioning if it is really going to occur. We simply do not know what’s occurring.
‘If it does not, and we go tomorrow, we’ll spend simply 24 hours in Brussels and it simply would not be price it. Otherwise we’ll simply should take the hit.
‘I’m not even positive if my journey insurance coverage will cowl it or if they will simply say it is an act of God as a result of it is the climate. It’s been horrible, it is terrible, it is unacceptable.’
Passengers sit on the ground at St Pancras as they watch for information on their trains to Europe and south of the Thames
A household stands on the principle concourse exterior the doorway to the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International on Saturday as they watch for information on their prepare
Travel journalist Simon Calder mentioned passengers have been left ‘in tears’ after their New Year journeys to Disneyland have been derailed
The Eurostar departure board reveals that trains have been cancelled virtually throughout the board – although none are anticipated to run till tomorrow as they have to cross by way of Ebbsfleet
Passengers at St Pancras on Saturday morning because it emerged that Eurostar and Southeastern providers heading south of the Thames had been cancelled
Thousands of Brits’ journey plans have been thrown off by the disruption on the High Speed 1 line
Passengers ready for information on their Eurostar trains at St Pancras earlier on Saturday
Two newlyweds visiting from New York mentioned their plans to spend New Year’s Eve at Disneyland Paris had been ‘ruined’ because of the Eurostar journey chaos.
Nicole Carrera, 29, and her husband Christopher, 31, have been resulting from catch a prepare from London St Pancras International to Paris on Saturday morning nevertheless it was cancelled resulting from flooding.
They have needed to rebook for a 2.30pm outbound prepare on Sunday, scuppering their plans to spend New Year’s Eve on the theme park and leaving them out of pocket for a non-refundable lodge booked in Paris for Saturday night.
Ms Carrera, who works for cosmetics agency L’Oreal, informed the PA information company: ‘We really bought married in October and we had this journey deliberate earlier than we bought engaged.
‘So we have been in London since Wednesday and we needed to depart right this moment as a result of we have been really imagined to go to Disney Paris tomorrow for New Year’s Eve.
‘So clearly these plans our ruined as a result of now we cannot get into Paris tomorrow till about 6pm. So we’re simply going to stroll across the metropolis (Paris) tomorrow after we get there and at last get to our lodge. It’s simply a type of issues.’
Ana Whitton, 45, who works in communications and lives in Sydney together with her fiance David Grude, mentioned: ‘We’re meant to be going to Paris. We do not actually know what’s occurring.
‘We got here to see my household for Christmas, who’re primarily based in Worcester. My accomplice, he is Australian so it is his first time right here, so we thought it could be enjoyable to go to Paris, we’re assembly mates from Australia. We have gotten a restaurant booked for New Year, for tomorrow.
‘It’s only a bit worrying since you do not actually know… it feels very unsure, you do not know if you’re going to make it there right this moment or perhaps tomorrow.’
Simon Shaw, 36, and his spouse Heather, 37, from Derbyshire, are travelling in a celebration of eight, comprised of their wider household and their son, eight, and daughter, 5, hoping to achieve the French Alps for a snowboarding vacation.
Mr Shaw mentioned: ‘We simply arrived and noticed all the pieces was cancelled this morning, bought right here at 7am and it was chaos so we do not know what’s occurring. We will get there a method or one other.
‘We have accomplished this a few instances, simply us and the children, and it has been actually environment friendly, actually easy, and right this moment we have introduced prolonged household with us and it is all gone to pot. It’s simply irritating.’
She mentioned ‘these items cannot be helped’ however feels ‘just a little bit anxious on when we’re going to get transferring’.
Another passenger informed BBC News of their struggles: ‘I’m determined to get to Paris. I’m actually, actually determined to be with my household on New Year.’
‘We’re not going dwelling right this moment,’ mentioned one other. ‘We’re simply ready and we’re hoping it will be mounted.’
Problems with flooding turned obvious final night time, when Southeastern tweeted to say it could be operating ‘very restricted’ providers to and from St Pancras when one of many tunnels at Ebbsfleet full of water.
The operator shared a picture of the curved rail tunnel, its monitor fully submerged in water, and later posted a video of water gushing into the underpass.
The flooded tunnels are utilized by excessive pace trains such because the Eurostar to connect with the Channel Tunnel – kiboshing the opportunity of worldwide rail providers going forward for the entire of December 30.
Eurostar trains have a capability of roughly 750 passengers – suggesting hundreds of travellers have had their plans disrupted.
This passenger informed BBC News: ‘We’re not going dwelling right this moment. We’re simply ready and hoping it is going to be mounted’
This lady mentioned she was ‘determined’ to get to Paris with a view to spend New Year together with her household
Network Rail says no trains will run within the excessive pace tunnels at Ebbsfleet till the tip of Saturday
Eurostar trains run instantly from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, with connections through different Eurostar and home providers to different European cities and locations
A Eurostar prepare sits empty on the platform at St Pancras International on Saturday – going nowhere amid the flooding at Ebbsfleet down the road
Passengers took to social media to specific their frustrations at an obvious lack of know-how from Eurostar on the cancellations in each London and Paris
Despite the actual fact flooding at Ebbsfleet turned obvious yesterday, worldwide passengers heading for the continent seemed to be none the wiser after they arrived at St Pancras this morning.
One traveller named Jamal posted on X shortly after 5.30am on Saturday that departure boards ‘all of the sudden modified all trains to cancelled’ with out warning.
He requested: ‘Is there a substitute prepare? What are our choices?’
One would-be passenger, Parker Winston, wrote on X – previously Twitter – that she had bought up at 3.40am on her option to catch a Eurostar service, solely to be compelled again to mattress after a annoyed journey.
Another buyer aiming to get to London from the French capital wrote that there had been ‘no communication and no chance to rebook’.
Other passengers have expressed confusion at the truth that Eurostar nonetheless says some trains are set to run – despite the fact that all providers to the continent should cross by way of the flooded tunnel with a view to attain Europe.
Camden councillor Liam Martin-Lane urged individuals to verify if their trains have been affected earlier than heading to the worldwide rail terminal.
He tweeted: ‘Absolutely NO Southeastern or Eurostar trains in or out of #StPancras.
‘Please verify with the rail firm earlier than coming to the station, in order that overcrowding may be averted.’
A Eurostar spokesperson informed MailOnline shortly earlier than 12pm: ‘Eurostar has sadly needed to cancel an additional 15 trains to and from London because of the state of affairs not enhancing with flooding within the tunnels between St Pancras worldwide and Ebbsfleet.
‘Network Rail is constant to do all they’ll and can replace Eurostar if any providers can proceed later within the day.
Eurostar is extraordinarily sorry for the unexpected points affecting our prospects and providers. We perceive it is a important time to get dwelling on the finish of the festive season and forward of New Year.
‘We are doing all we will to rectify the state of affairs. Customers are inspired to go to the Eurostar web site for extra info on their journey and compensation entitlement.’
Travel journalist Simon Calder posted on X, previously Twitter, that St Pancras was in ‘chaos’ on Saturday morning.
Mr Calder later informed BBC Breakfast: ‘I’ve been speaking to individuals in tears as a result of their journey to Disney has been cancelled.
‘We had some warnings yesterday afternoon that there have been going to be issues as a result of one of many tunnels beneath the Thames…was blocked due to flooding.
‘And at 4am this morning there was an announcement that each tunnels have been blocked and there can be no trains initially this morning.’
He later added on Sky News that households, together with some hoping to spend New Year at Disneyland Paris, have been scrambling to ebook flights to maintain their journey plans on monitor – with some even opting to get the automobile and drive through Dover.
Southeastern excessive pace trains sit within the sidings at Ashford International Station in Kent after their providers have been cancelled due to the flooding at Ebbsfleet
Eurostar providers will not be operating from St Pancras this morning resulting from flooded tunnels (inventory picture)
Eurostar trains at St Pancras, which hosts direct railway providers to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from London
The disruption comes after Eurostar passengers’ journey plans have been derailed by wildcat union strikes in France days earlier than Christmas (pictured: travellers at St Pancras in the course of the strike)
Some passengers have questioned why Eurostar has by no means re-resumed providers at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International south of the Thames, which it canned in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
The operator has by no means dedicated to returning to the stations on the High Speed 1 line, with chief government Gwendoline Cazenave saying earlier this 12 months it could look to take action ‘as soon as we will afford it’ in remarks reported by The Independent.
In an replace posted on its web site, Eurostar mentioned passengers can reschedule their reserving freed from cost or cancel their reserving for both a credit score word or a refund.
The discover learn: ‘Due to an infrastructure downside on the high-speed line close to London, we’re having to cancel some trains on our path to/from London on Saturday 30 December. We are sorry for the inconvenience induced.’
Closer to dwelling, Thameslink has warned passengers to anticipate delays on providers due to an absence of workers. It informed passengers to anticipate to attend longer for trains right this moment, and to anticipate cancellations tomorrow.
The firm, which runs trains from Brighton and Gatwick by way of to Luton and Bedford through central London, has scrapped dozens of providers right this moment.
It mentioned: ‘Due to points with the supply of prepare crew, we’re nonetheless anticipating disruption to our providers right this moment, Saturday 30 December, and tomorrow, Sunday 31 December. Please proceed to verify our departure boards earlier than travelling.’
Southeastern says it has workers tackling the flooded tunnels at Ebbsfleet, however doesn’t anticipate providers to run by way of the passageways right this moment.
It tweeted: ‘We will likely be operating NO highspeed providers for the whole thing of right this moment, Saturday thirtieth December, resulting from flooding within the tunnels at Ebbsfleet.
‘No trains will run between Ashford and St Pancras, or between Gravesend and St Pancras. Please use different routes.’
The newest journey disaster comes after British holidaymakers have been held to ransom earlier than Christmas, when French workers on Eurotunnel staged a wildcat strike.
Tens of hundreds had journeys disrupted days earlier than Christmas after unionised staff demanded a tripling of their end-of-year bonus of €1,000 (£866) earlier than downing instruments – blocking the Channel Tunnel and inflicting chaos in Paris and London.
Employees of Eurotunnel, a subsidiary of Getlink, mentioned the wildcat strike was motivated by a ‘horrible deterioration of the social local weather’.
All service between Paris and Brussels and Paris and London was scrapped after the shock strike began, showing to catch even the St Pancras station reception and safety off guard as they tried to clear platforms of passengers ready to board.
Closer to dwelling, transport has been plagued for days by inclement climate, with providers throughout the UK closely disrupted by Storm Gerrit earlier this week and additional chaos anticipated this weekend.
Windy circumstances will sweep throughout the UK on Saturday, in response to the Met Office. Yellow climate warnings for ice and rain have been imposed in Scotland.