Eurostar trains between London and Brussels have been cancelled today (Monday) due to 24-hour industrial action in Belgium.
The enforced shut-down of the service through the Channel Tunnel follows warnings of jet fuel shortages at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport due to blockades outside fuel refineries mounted by protestors against the raising of the minimum retirement age in France.
Eurostar warned that the industrial action will cause “significant disruption” throughout Belgium. Brussels Midi station and the rest of the Belgian rail network will be forced to close.
“As a consequence, no Eurostar trains will operate to Brussels during this period,” the company said. “Additionally, it is unlikely there will be any high-speed onward rail connections on Thalys or ICE, from Brussels to destinations in France, the Netherlands and Germany.”
Trains to Brussels will stop in Lille where a “very limited” coach service will operate to the Belgian capital.
With demand expected to be high, journey times will increase significantly by approximately two hours, according to the operator.
“We would recommend that customers planning to travel between Belgium and the UK during this period postpone their journeys if possible,” a Eurostar statement said.
Eurostar services between St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International and Paris/Disneyland Resort Paris will operate normally with some services including an additional stop at Lille.