All Eurostar trains travelling to and from London have been cancelled after a major power supply problem disrupted traffic through the Channel Tunnel. Services at London St Pancras International were suspended with immediate effect, causing widespread travel disruption during the busy holiday period.
Eurostar confirmed that all of its trains were halted “until further notice” due to a fault affecting the overhead power system inside the Channel Tunnel. The company has not yet given a clear timeline for when normal services will resume, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or forced to change travel plans.
Power Issue Impacts Eurostar and Vehicle Services
The power failure has also affected LeShuttle services, which transport cars, coaches, and freight vehicles between the UK and France via the tunnel. Long queues of cars and lorries were reported near Folkestone, with LeShuttle warning passengers to expect severe delays.
In an update shared on its website, Eurostar advised customers to delay their journeys and avoid travelling to stations unless they already held tickets for the day. LeShuttle issued a similar message, stating that services were heavily disrupted while engineers worked to restore power safely.
Delays Mount as Trains Remain Stuck
Several Eurostar trains already in operation were delayed for hours. Live travel updates showed some services running more than four hours behind schedule, while others were stopped completely. Trains heading from Paris to London and from London to Paris were both affected, adding to congestion at major stations.
The Channel Tunnel typically carries tens of thousands of passengers and vehicles each day, especially during the Christmas and New Year travel period, making the disruption particularly significant.
Alternative Travel Options Offered
With Eurostar services suspended, ferry operators running between Dover and Calais confirmed they have extra capacity available for passengers seeking alternative routes. Authorities advised travellers to check ferry availability before heading to ports.
UK rail operator LNER announced flexible travel arrangements for affected passengers. Customers who were unable to continue their journey in London were allowed to return to their original station on the next available LNER service at no extra cost. LNER also said existing tickets could be reused on the same route if Eurostar journeys are postponed to another day.
Passenger Advice and Ongoing Updates
Eurostar has encouraged passengers to monitor official travel updates and avoid unnecessary travel until services are restored. Refunds, rebooking options, and travel credits are expected to be made available, depending on ticket type.
Engineers continue to investigate the cause of the power failure, and a gradual return to normal operations may begin once safety checks are completed. However, further delays are possible as the situation develops.
Travellers planning cross-Channel journeys in the coming days are advised to stay flexible, check alternative transport options, and allow extra time for any essential travel.
