03 October 2008

Eurostar faces further disruption

Eurostar faces further disruption with the cancellation of all trains to Brussels on Monday.

Still reeling from a fire in the Channel Tunnel last month, which has led to a revised timetable, the high speed train operator now faces a 24-hour general strike in Belgium.

The industrial action will mean that Brussels Midi station and the rest of the Belgian rail network will be closed.

There will be no rail services operating between Lille and Brussels Midi station and no high-speed onward rail connections on Thalys or ICE, from Brussels to destinations in France, Holland and Germany.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœBecause of the constraints of the amended timetable due to the Channel Tunnel incident in September, Eurostar will also not be able to operate a service between the UK and Lille on Monday 6 October,Ã¢â¬~ the company said.

The 19.30 departure (train 9158) from London to Brussels on Sunday will terminate at Lille.

On October 6, only the 19.30 (train 9158) service from London will operate through to Brussels via Lille, on the assumption that the Belgian high-speed line would re-open at 22.00 (CET).

Eurostar is advising passengers travelling between the UK and Brussels or Lille on Monday that they should change their travel plans, and exchange their tickets for alternative dates or obtain refunds by contacting their original point of sale.

by Phil Davies