Passengers on Eurostar are facing yet more problems after a trespasser outside St Pancras station in London brought all services to Paris and Brussels to a halt.
The incident began on Friday night, involving a man draped in a St George flag close to the high speed lines. As a result the overhead wires could not be switched on.
British Transport Police announced shortly before 9am on Saturday that the trespasser, a 44-year-old man, had been apprehended.
The Channel Tunnel train operator said: “Our services will be able to start to run in the area again soon. We would still recommend you not travel this morning and please cancel your journey or exchange ticket free of charge.”
A passenger stranded at Brussels Midi station, Lucy Morey, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I got more information on Twitter than on the Eurostar site.”
“There were a couple of Eurostar officials telling people that the train was cancelled and to go away again.”
She was on her way to see her 89-year-mother for Mother’s Day.
“The app doesn’t say I can book on another train, it doesn’t even say my train is cancelled.“
Southeastern high-speed rail services from London to Kent also came to a standstill.
Furious passengers demanded to know why Southeastern high-speed trains would not run to Stratford International, from where travellers could switch to the London Underground.
For Eurostar it is the latest twist in what has been a dreadful month, largely as a result of industrial action by French frontier officials.
A go-slow has led to long queues at Paris Gare du Nord, with many delayed trains and frustrated travellers.
Passengers are advised not to attempt to travel from Paris to London until 3 April because of the action by officials.
