A day of unprecedented travel chaos in the Channel Tunnel has left thousands of New Year’s Eve plans in limbo, as Eurostar began a “very gradual” resumption of services Tuesday afternoon while simultaneously pleading with passengers to abandon their journeys.
The cross-channel operator took the unusual step of “strongly advising” all travellers to postpone their trips to a later date, even as the first trains since early morning began to roll between London St Pancras and the continent. The crisis, which effectively severed the high-speed rail link between Britain and mainland Europe for most of the day, has turned one of the busiest travel windows of the year into a logistical nightmare.
A Double Blow to the ‘Chunnel’
The disruption began in the pre-dawn hours of December 30, 2025, triggered by a critical failure in the overhead power supply within the Channel Tunnel. The situation rapidly deteriorated when a LeShuttle train—which transports cars and coaches—broke down inside the tunnel as a direct result of the power outage.
- The Stoppage: For over eight hours, the tunnel was entirely closed to traffic, forcing Eurostar to cancel more than a dozen services to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
- The Partial Reopening: By 4:00 PM GMT, tunnel operator Getlink confirmed that one of the two rail lines had been restored. However, with only a single track operational, trains are being forced to take turns in each direction, creating a massive bottleneck.
- The Backlog: LeShuttle reported waiting times of over three-and-a-half hours at the Folkestone terminal, while the queues at Gare du Nord in Paris and St Pancras in London swelled with frustrated holidaymakers.
‘Disappointment and Free Crisps’
At St Pancras International, the festive atmosphere evaporated as departure boards turned a sea of red. Staff were seen handing out water and snacks to families who had been waiting since 7:00 AM.
“We were heading to Paris for the countdown,” said Jack Slater, a stranded traveller who had planned a surprise trip for his girlfriend. “Now we’re just sitting on our suitcases in London. They’re telling us we can travel, but that the train might be cancelled while we’re in the queue. It’s a total gamble.”
While Eurostar is attempting to run its evening services—including the 6:01 PM and 7:01 PM trains to Paris—it has warned that these remain subject to last-minute cancellation. The company has activated its “disruption policy,” allowing anyone with a ticket for today to:
- Exchange their ticket for a future date for free.
- Claim a full refund or an e-voucher.
- Use Northern services at no extra charge to return home (for UK-based travellers).
Structural Issues and Rising Criticism
This latest meltdown adds to a growing list of grievances against the cross-channel operator. Throughout 2025, Eurostar has faced stinging criticism over record-high ticket prices and periodic technical failures, including a major electrical fault that paralyzed the network in August.
Industry analysts suggest that the aging overhead power infrastructure, which has been in place since the tunnel opened in 1994, is struggling to keep pace with the record-breaking 19.5 million passengers who used the service over the past year.
“The Channel Tunnel is a masterpiece of engineering, but it is currently operating at its absolute limit,” noted rail expert Mark Smith. “When you have a power failure compounded by a vehicle shuttle breaking down in the dark, the entire system effectively chokes.”
Advice for New Year’s Eve
For those still hoping to reach the Eiffel Tower or the Grand Place for the new year, the outlook is grim. Eurotunnel teams are expected to work through the night to repair the second track, but National Rail has warned that “significant disruption” is likely to bleed into Wednesday morning.
“Please do not come to the station unless your train is specifically confirmed as running,” a Eurostar spokesperson said. “Even then, expect delays of several hours. If your journey is not essential, please, stay home.”