EUROSTAR’S inaugural trip from
London to Avignon in the south of France was held up on its return by 100
striking French customs officers who took over the platform and crossed the
tracks.
The 15-minute delay was the only hitch
for the new six-hour direct service for this summer, which carried 200 travel
agents, journalists and Eurostar staff on its first journey. The Foreign Office
is warning travellers to France to prepare for delays caused by striking
workers.
Eurostar managing director Gordon
Bye vowed to take on the low-cost carriers, with fares starting at £115 return
for the new service. He also revealed long term hopes to introduce new direct
routes to Amsterdam and other parts of France.