New Year travel chaos as train cancellation over Thames tunnel flooding

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Tens of thousands of rail travellers are facing a tumultuous start to the New Year’s Eve weekend as extensive disruptions hit Eurostar and Southeastern train services. The cancellation of dozens of Eurostar trains between London St Pancras International and Continental Europe has been prompted by flooding on the crucial High Speed 1 line.

Eurostar Disruptions

At 4 am, engineers declared that no trains could traverse the tunnel beneath the Thames east of London, leading to a cascade of cancellations. Passengers arriving at Eurostar’s terminal were informed of the cancellation of all trains scheduled before 10 am due to an infrastructure issue. Eurostar staff emphasized the unavailability of standard class seats for the entire day and extended apologies for any inconvenience caused. The train operator reported severe delays and cancellations, underscoring their collaboration with Network Rail to ensure customer safety and security.

Southeastern Train Woes

The impact of flooding extends to Britain’s sole high-speed railway line from London to Kent, affecting Southeastern trains. The line from London St Pancras International to Ebbsfleet and Ashford is expected to remain blocked for a significant portion of Saturday morning, with disruptions persisting until midday. Domestic passengers are urged to consider alternative, slower train routes to and from London Charing Cross and Cannon Street. Compounding the travel chaos, the Southeastern line to London Victoria is closed until the New Year due to ongoing engineering work.

Thameslink Line and New Year’s Eve Warnings

Passengers at London St Pancras relying on the Thameslink line connecting Bedford and Luton with Gatwick and Brighton are warned of major disruptions extending into the morning of New Year’s Day. Staff shortages contribute to this warning, with passengers advised to brace for significant inconveniences during the afternoon and evening of New Year’s Eve, including a complete overnight service shutdown.

Broader Impact and Weather Challenges

The repercussions are not confined to celebratory New Year revelers in central London; many airline passengers and staff depend on overnight trains for crucial connections to Gatwick and Luton airports. National Rail forewarns of anticipated further cancellations throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, the UK faces additional challenges with strong gusts, snow, and heavy rain following Storm Gerrit, accompanied by yellow weather warnings for ice and adverse conditions in Scotland.

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