On the rails . . .

EUROTUNNEL welcomed the 25 millionth truck to use its Le Shuttle Freight service on the 17th March since the service began on 25 July 1994. 

This 25 millionth truck, from the fleet operated by UPS, the express courier specialist, was carrying packages from Germany, many containing items such as clothing, shoes or electronics purchased the previous day via the Internet. 

The rapid growth in e-commerce, between 20-30% per annum, shows how essential the Channel Tunnel has become in the transport and logistics infrastructure linking the United Kingdom to continental Europe. Approximately one million e-commerce packages transit via the Channel Tunnel every day.

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Delays at Dover cause holiday misery

BRITISH holidaymakers heading to France via Dover are being warned to allow extra time –a great deal of extra time – for their journey to the port amid long delays caused by heightened security checks.  

There have been major tailbacks on the M20/A20 since Friday with some motorists complaining of being in queues for up to 14 hours. 

The delays, at the start of the school holidays, are being worsened by tighter security checks by French border police at Dover and Eurotunnel following recent terror attacks in France. 

Tourists are being advised to try to avoid the M20/A20 and use the M2/A2 where possible. 

On Sunday morning, the Port of Dover was warning of waiting times of three to 3.5 hours from Roundhill Tunnels.  

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said it was a 'very serious situation' with families 'suffering out there in massive tailbacks'. Other MPs said the tougher security checks introduced by the French were understandable and necessary, but that more police were needed to make them.

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Brexit will not have ‘significant impact’, says Eurotunnel

CHANNEL TUNNEL operator Eurotunnel has issued a note of confidence in the wake of Britain voting to leave the European Union.

The company revealed that first-half revenues rose by 2% to €582 million (£) ‘in spite of the uncertain geo-political context’.
 
Eurotunnel said: ‘As the mechanisms for and the means by which the UK will leave the European Union have yet to be determined, it is difficult to predict the effect on the macro-economic and political environment and therefore on cross-Channel transport and the group’s activities. Nonetheless, the group does not expect any significant impact on its activities in the short term and currently activity remains buoyant.’
 
The company reported the best first-half for its Le Shuttle car-carrying service since 2001 with an estimated two-point increase in its market share against a 4% decline in the overall cross-channel car market.
 
Eurostar traffic was down 3% year-on-year following the terrorist attacks in Brussels in March and strikes in Belgium and France in March and June.
 
Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: ‘Month after month, Eurotunnel has broken traffic records, particularly for the truck shuttles. The tunnel has never been as highly utilized as it is today. Despite the financial market uncertainty generated by the UK voting to leave the European Union, the group remains confident in the performance of its economic model and in its outlook.’

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Spanish flights delay warning; Eurotunnel entrance blocked by strikers

A WARNING of flight delays has been issued ahead of the latest planned strike by Spanish air traffic controllers this weekend. Airlines have been notified of a second wave of industrial action for three hours each day on Saturday and Sunday – a peak weekend for summer holiday travel.

It follows action by controllers in Spain on July 11 and 12.

Walkouts are planned between 10am and 1pm on Saturday and 5pm and 8pm on Sunday.

easyJet said: ‘We plan to operate our normal schedule and like all airlines flying to and from Spain, we expect to be impacted by moderate delays during this period as a result of the strike. We recommend that all customers flying to or from Spain on those dates check the status of their flight on our Flight Tracker page before going to the airport.’

Calais Eurotunnel entrance hit by fresh strike action

Eurotunnel has been hit by further problems as striking ferry workers set fire to tyres in Calais, blocking one of the entrances to the French terminal. Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing over the port as authorities worked to remove the blockade and repair the road this afternoon.

A statement on Eurotunnel’s website read: “The Maritime Nord Union has this morning blocked access to, and exit from our French Terminal in the Calais direction. Entry is still possible from the Boulogne direction following local diversions in place. If your arrival to check-in at Calais is delayed, please rest assured that we will accommodate you on the next departure with space available.’

Eurostar said its service was unaffected.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41407408@N00/332101971">3 Hour Line to check in at TAM</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/27119837@N06/8140636461">Eurotunnel - Le Shuttle</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)