Christmas travel strikes: Eurotunnel shutdown causes chaos ‘Many people in great distress!’

Christmas travel strikes: Eurotunnel shutdown causes chaos ‘Many people in great distress!’
GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 22/12/2023

- 11:44

Eurotunnel services are now open after staff shut down all journeys on Thursday

Travel expert Simon Calder has detailed the latest travel chaos for the UK, as Britons prepare to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.

The warnings for travellers comes after Eurostar cancelled all trains yesterday, leaving hundreds of people stranded in the capital.


The last-minute strike by Eurotunnel staff was ended today, as a spokesperson told GB News: ""Train traffic will resume from 22 December, with a normal timetable out of London, Paris and Brussels.

"To help support our customers who could not travel because of the Eurotunnel strike, Eurostar will run six extra trains between Paris and London: 2 on Friday 22 Dec, 2 on Saturday 23 Dec, and 2 on Sunday."

St Pancras

Travellers at St Pancras Station wait for travel news

PA

Earlier this week, Avanti West Coast also caused disruption for those needing to travel by train, after overhead electric wires on all lines between Milton Keynes Central and Watford Junction were blocked.

The train providers have stated that those affected by the closures could be eligible for a 100 per cent refund on their tickets.

Detailing the impact on Brits, travel expert Simon Calder revealed the Eurotunnel staff "decided they want a bonus", and shut the entire tunnel down.

Those affected told Calder at the time that trains had travelled to the mouth of the tunnel and come back again.

Calder told GB News: "So many people were in great distress because they had no idea how they were going to get where they needed to be. 30 trains cancelled.

"That represents 25,000 people waking up this morning where they didn't want to be."

Britain's Newsroom host Tom Harwood then asked if the travel chaos will affect the delivery of Christmas presents to the UK, due to the closures.

Calder reassured Britons: "I think the Christmas deliveries will be OK. It's interesting to see, of course lots of freight gets moved through the Channel Tunnel and also lots of trucks get moved through the Channel.

Simon Calder

Simon Calder detailed the latest travel chaos to sweep the UK

GB News

Please write at least 2 paragraphs

"The trucks mostly diverted to the ferries, which are still running, thank goodness, but we'll see if there are any shortages."

Calder then detailed the latest update on travel services: "Things gradually are getting back on track for passengers, they've put on extra services to try to get everybody.

"And look, I've been covering Christmas travel chaos since just about after the nativity!

"People have got three days to get to where they need to be."

You may like