Menu
12/09/2008
Further Disruption Expected After Channel Tunnel Blaze
Eurostar passengers have been warned to expect further disruption, as the Channel Tunnel has remained closed following a major blaze on a freight train.
Thousands of travellers were caught up in the commotion when a fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday. Thirty-two people had to be evacuated and 14 of those suffered minor injuries as a result, while a 30-mile motorway tailback ensued.
It has been reported a UK-bound lorry being carried on a train and carrying the toxic chemical phenol, had overturned, catching fire.
All Eurostar passengers who booked tickets to travel on Friday can exchange them for travel on a later date, or they have been offered a refund, the company has announced.
It was initially reported that no trains would run through it on Friday, however Eurotunnel's Chief Executive Jacques Gounon told RTL Radio "without making any commitment" it would be possible to resume the service "at half-capacity" today.
The Channel Tunnel is a 50.5km undersea rail tunnel linking the United Kingdom with Continental Europe. It runs beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, and connects Folkestone, Kent in England to Coquelles near Calais in Northern France.
About 50 Eurostar services run between London and Europe every day, carrying nearly 38,000 at full capacity.
(JM)
Thousands of travellers were caught up in the commotion when a fire broke out about seven miles from Calais on Thursday. Thirty-two people had to be evacuated and 14 of those suffered minor injuries as a result, while a 30-mile motorway tailback ensued.
It has been reported a UK-bound lorry being carried on a train and carrying the toxic chemical phenol, had overturned, catching fire.
All Eurostar passengers who booked tickets to travel on Friday can exchange them for travel on a later date, or they have been offered a refund, the company has announced.
It was initially reported that no trains would run through it on Friday, however Eurotunnel's Chief Executive Jacques Gounon told RTL Radio "without making any commitment" it would be possible to resume the service "at half-capacity" today.
The Channel Tunnel is a 50.5km undersea rail tunnel linking the United Kingdom with Continental Europe. It runs beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, and connects Folkestone, Kent in England to Coquelles near Calais in Northern France.
About 50 Eurostar services run between London and Europe every day, carrying nearly 38,000 at full capacity.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 September 2003
New Channel Tunnel rail link opened
The Prime Minister has opened the first section of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link at London's Waterloo Station today. The new section will allow trains to run at up to 186 miles per hour, reducing journey times from London to Paris to nearly two and a half hours.
New Channel Tunnel rail link opened
The Prime Minister has opened the first section of the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link at London's Waterloo Station today. The new section will allow trains to run at up to 186 miles per hour, reducing journey times from London to Paris to nearly two and a half hours.
30 July 2003
Eurostar smashes rail speed record
Eurostar, the fast train service linking the UK with France and Belgium, today shattered the speed record for the fastest ever train in the UK – achieving 208mph (334.7km/h) as it ran through Kent on the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The record-breaking run took place during safety testing on CTRL Section 1.
Eurostar smashes rail speed record
Eurostar, the fast train service linking the UK with France and Belgium, today shattered the speed record for the fastest ever train in the UK – achieving 208mph (334.7km/h) as it ran through Kent on the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The record-breaking run took place during safety testing on CTRL Section 1.
17 August 2005
Worker killed in Channel Tunnel Link fire
A man was killed and a second seriously injured when a fire broke out in a tunnel under construction in Kent. The blaze started in a maintenance locomotive being used in the Thames Tunnel which will form part of the new high-speed Channel Tunnel rail link.
Worker killed in Channel Tunnel Link fire
A man was killed and a second seriously injured when a fire broke out in a tunnel under construction in Kent. The blaze started in a maintenance locomotive being used in the Thames Tunnel which will form part of the new high-speed Channel Tunnel rail link.
05 November 2010
Channel Tunnel Rail Link Deal Agreed
'High Speed 1', the Channel Tunnel high-speed rail link, is set to be bought by two Canadian pension funds for over £2bn. The Government announced the sale of the 69-mile London to Folkestone in June as part of efforts to reduce national debt. At a cost of £2.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link Deal Agreed
'High Speed 1', the Channel Tunnel high-speed rail link, is set to be bought by two Canadian pension funds for over £2bn. The Government announced the sale of the 69-mile London to Folkestone in June as part of efforts to reduce national debt. At a cost of £2.
27 August 2009
Power Failure Hits Channel Tunnel
There was 'shock' this week as undersea passenger trains ground to a halt. A power outage was being blamed after Channel Tunnel passengers - who boarded carriages in Calais at 7.50pm on Tuesday evening - didn't get to Folkestone in Kent until 2.30am on Wednesday morning.
Power Failure Hits Channel Tunnel
There was 'shock' this week as undersea passenger trains ground to a halt. A power outage was being blamed after Channel Tunnel passengers - who boarded carriages in Calais at 7.50pm on Tuesday evening - didn't get to Folkestone in Kent until 2.30am on Wednesday morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
