Eurostar strikes: Channel Tunnel trains cancelled due to 'unexpected' action days before Christmas

More travel chaos is on the cards for festive commuters after it was announced "unexpected strikes" by French Eurostar staff has seen services through the Channel Tunnel cancelled. All trains to London St Pancras operated by Eurostar, as well as vehicle-carrying services on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle to and from Folkstone, have been cancelled last minute. At least 24 trains have been cancelled today alone.

It comes after pay talks between bosses and trade unions broke down. Eurostar said in a statement: “Due to unexpected strike action by Eurotunnel staff, services are currently not able to proceed through the Channel Tunnel until mid-afternoon at earliest.”

All services before 7pm have been cancelled. Those booked on services at this time or after were warned by the train operator that “we cannot exclude additional last-minute cancellations, which may include your train”.

It comes as services through London Euston were all cancelled on one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. A fault to overhead lines at the major London station saw all train cancelled, with delays expected until at least 6.30pm.