Eurostar Plans Full Service After Channel Tunnel Power Fault Amid Disruption Risks
Eurostar intends to resume full service on Wednesday following a power supply fault in the Channel Tunnel and overnight rail infrastructure issues, though travellers should anticipate potential knock-on delays and last-minute cancellations.
The power outage halted train trips connecting London to the European mainland through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar advised travellers to postpone their journeys and issued warnings of delays.
A Le Shuttle train also failed within the Channel Tunnel, leading to cancellations of some services even those not directly using the tunnel, such as Paris-Brussels routes.
These disruptions resulted in stranded travellers gathering at London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord, impacting end-of-year travel plans.
Eurostar carried 19.5 million passengers in 2024, marking an approximate 5% increase from 2023, boosted by interest surrounding the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
Eurostar has maintained a monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services since 1994. However, competition is on the horizon, with Virgin Group promising to launch a rival service and Trenitalia planning to compete on the Paris-London route by 2029.
Earlier incidents this year included an electrical fault in August causing cancellations and delays, and cable theft in June. Meanwhile, Le Shuttle operates vehicle-carrying trains between Folkestone and Calais.
