Christmas getaway chaos with Eurostar trains cancelled, key line to Manchester blocked and ‘do not travel’ alert issued

21 December 2023, 13:59 | Updated: 21 December 2023, 23:14

Are you stuck in the travel chaos? Email: christian.oliver@global.com

Christmas travel plans were thrown into chaos today after Eurostar cancelled all trains amid an 'unexpected strike' and London Euston stopped all trains leaving the station.

Flights were grounded, and 'do not travel' alerts were also issued as Storm Pia battered the UK.

Devastated passengers trying to head north for Christmas flooded London Euston Station, where they were told to go home due to overhead wire damage exiting London at Watford Junction.

All train lines were blocked through the area, London Northwestern Railway said, as passengers were told to return tomorrow.

Travel turmoil continued as Eurostar this afternoon confirmed those heading away for the Christmas period would be stalled after Eurotunnel staff launched an "unexpected strike".

Eurostar said the rail link between Britain and continental Europe would not open until later in the day, thwarting plans for those making their way to meet family and friends over the festive period.

Initially, trains were only cancelled until early afternoon, before the halt was extended into the evening.

"We’d urge all passengers to postpone their travel due to the Channel Tunnel closure and the continuing uncertainty. Again; we are very sorry for the impact this is having," Eurostar said on Twitter.

The industrial action is reported to be over a dispute between Eurotunnel staff and management regarding end-of-year bonus pay. Trade unions earlier rejected a bonus of 1,000 euros (over £860), demanding for the amount to be trebled.

Marion was stuck at St Pancras as she was meant to travel back to Toulon.

"It seems like I'll have to go back tomorrow, but my TGV in Lille, I won't be able to catch it and they are all booked up," she told LBC.

"So I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to get back home."

But with the holidays starting tomorrow "it's kind of a mess in France", she added.

"I'm really annoyed, to say the least."

Another would-be holidaymaker, Ron, said: "We'll have to spend the rest of the day trying to plan something instead of enjoying our vacation."

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As Storm Pia battered the UK, British Airways grounded some flights on Thursday, with a spokesperson saying: "As a result of Air Traffic Control restrictions put in place because of Storm Pia, we have had to make some adjustments to our schedule today."

Commuters were earlier told to avoid travel as Storm Pia's 80mph winds forced a weather warning to be issued for northern England, north Wales, the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland for most of the day.

TransPennine Express put out a "do not travel" warning, "strongly" recommending passengers wait until after 3pm to make their trip.

ScotRail cancelled services on seven lines including Glasgow to Oban and Mallaig and Inverness to Aberdeen.

Avanti West Coast routes between Glasgow Central and Lockerbie, and Edinburgh and Lockerbie, could be delayed by up to an hour due to speed restrictions.

Meanwhile, CrossCountry warned services between Edinburgh and Newcastle could be cancelled or delayed, while LNER warned trains could be cancelled, delayed or altered. Some of their trains could terminate at Newcastle instead of Edinburgh.

It comes as a yellow weather warning was put in place by the Met Office from midnight. It will last until 9pm as gusts of up to 80mph were forecast, while other parts of the country will see them hit 55mph.

Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "We've issued a large yellow warning area where there's a potential for some impacts, but gusts of 50 to 60mph are possible for large parts of central and northern areas of the UK.

"Exposed coasts and high ground could see gusts of 70-80mph at times, mainly across the far north of Scotland.

"There's a chance this low pressure will continue to exert its influence into Friday, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast."

The disruption comes ahead of the expected big getaway tomorrow. The weather disruption adds to the AA's warning of more than 16 million car journeys clogging the roads.