Eurostar has cancelled a number of its services last-minute due to "unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff."
The high-speed rail service has cancelled four services between the UK and France this afternoon. The disruption is expected to last until at least mid-afternoon, so the service is also urging passengers due to travel on later trains to postpone their plans.
The company issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) warning: "Update: due to unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff, services are currently not able to proceed through the Channel Tunnel until mid-afternoon at earliest. Trains held en route 9126, 9018, 9023, 9125 will return to their starting point as are now cancelled.
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"Passengers on those four services please listen for onboard announcements. All customers with travel booked for today are advised to postpone here using 'manage booking' link https://brnw.ch/21wFvBU. Further updates will follow. We apologise for the impact caused."
Have you been affected by the cancellations? Email us at [email protected]
Meanwhile on the Eurostar's travel updates page on its website, it warns travellers that "traffic to/from London is currently suspended".
On X, one passenger asked if later trains might still run, to which a Eurostar replied saying that they were "waiting for more information regarding our later trains".
Passengers who are affected by the cancellations have a few different options available; they can change their travel date free of charge, cancel their booking and claim an e-voucher that's valid for 12 months, or cancel their booking and get a refund for the value of their ticket (it's worth noting this won't include any booking or exchange fees).
However, passengers may not find it easy to rebook onto alternative services. Eurostar warns: "Our trains are busier than normal over the festive period and there is very limited availability to travel in December. Seat availability will be the same whether you exchange your ticket online, at one of our stations, or through our contact centre teams.
"We’re sorry that some dates may already be fully booked due to the time of year. If you're not already at the station, please do not go to the station unless you have exchanged your ticket on to a train which is due to run.
"You have three months from the date you were due to travel to claim your preferred option. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
It's not just Eurostar that's been hit with disruption. Channel crossing firm LeShuttle has warned that all of its services have been temporarily suspended due to the industrial action in France. The company told passengers that "further service information will be published as soon as possible" on its website.
Over on X, a number of passengers vented their frustration at the last-minute cancellations that could potentially throw their Christmas plans into jeopardy. One unhappy traveller wrote: "So what happens now? Literally stuck on the road trying to get into the terminal."
The disruption will no doubt come as a blow to Brits with pre-Christmas travel plans. According to research from insurance provider Staysure, this is the most popular time with nearly half of people travelling between December 22 and Christmas Eve.
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