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Eurostar trains disrupted by French power cable fault Eurostar trains disrupted by French power cable fault
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of travellers face disruption after Eurostar services between London and the continent were delayed by an overhead power cable fault in France.Thousands of travellers face disruption after Eurostar services between London and the continent were delayed by an overhead power cable fault in France.
A passenger on the 1400 train from London tweeted that it was still stuck near Lille eight hours later. A passenger told the BBC he missed a flight from London after being on a train for nine hours.
Eurostar has cancelled a number of trains scheduled for Tuesday.Eurostar has cancelled a number of trains scheduled for Tuesday.
It said a sagging overhead power cable meant trains had to be switched from high-speed lines to old ones, adding it was "very sorry for any inconvenience". It said a sagging overhead cable meant trains had to be switched from high-speed lines to slower ones, adding it was "very sorry for any inconvenience".
The journey between London and Paris usually takes about two hours and 15 minutes.The journey between London and Paris usually takes about two hours and 15 minutes.
Eurostar told passengers with tickets for cancelled trains to exchange them for another day if possible.Eurostar told passengers with tickets for cancelled trains to exchange them for another day if possible.
Several passengers who have suffered lengthy delays have expressed their frustrations on Twitter. Kandy Woodfield, from London, was on a train that left the city at 1401 GMT but she was still on the train seven hours later.
One tweeted: "Eurostar 9040 is moving. Five hours into the journey we've covered only a fifth. I'm sure we can do better." "It has been hellish. We have not been kept informed," she said.
Another wrote: "So, now been stuck on Eurostar twice in one day, this time for 3.5 hrs and still stationary, lost in N France. Why did they even let us on?" She went on: "To start with, the announcer said that we had stopped due to a power line failure, we were then told there was a broken down train.
"Later on, an announcement said that someone had fallen ill and it appealed for any doctors on board to help. There has been such poor information.
"They eventually gave us free water but that is it. The bar has made an absolute killing. I think it is terrible. There are elderly people and young children on board."
Six hours after leaving Paris Debbie Goodier, from Croydon, south London, had only reached Calais.
She had travelled to Paris for a day trip to celebrate her wedding anniversary.
"We were delayed two hours on the way out and now stationary on the way back. Not for the first time," she said.
Ryan Armstrong, who was travelling to Amsterdam via London, missed his connecting flight because of the delays.
"We were basically on the train for nine hours. We hardly moved; there was a lot of standing still. At one point the power was cut so we couldn't see anything or get any information," said the London man, who added that the staff on his train had been "helpful and supportive".
'Regulate' the service
A Eurostar spokeswoman said journeys had been delayed by up to seven hours.A Eurostar spokeswoman said journeys had been delayed by up to seven hours.
She said four train services had been cancelled on Tuesday morning to "regulate" the service.She said four train services had been cancelled on Tuesday morning to "regulate" the service.
The spokeswoman said: "We are trying to do everything we can to get passengers to their destination. We are doing everything we can to make their journey as comfortable as possible," she said.The spokeswoman said: "We are trying to do everything we can to get passengers to their destination. We are doing everything we can to make their journey as comfortable as possible," she said.
On its website, Eurostar stated: "Due an overhead power cable on the line the services below will be cancelled on Tuesday 6th March.On its website, Eurostar stated: "Due an overhead power cable on the line the services below will be cancelled on Tuesday 6th March.
"If you are booked to travel on one of these services, we recommend that you exchange your ticket for travel on another date as other services may also be subject to delay. You can do so for free at any time in the next two months by calling our contact centre on 08432 186 186.""If you are booked to travel on one of these services, we recommend that you exchange your ticket for travel on another date as other services may also be subject to delay. You can do so for free at any time in the next two months by calling our contact centre on 08432 186 186."
Are you affected? If you are willing to speak to the BBC please fill in the form below.Are you affected? If you are willing to speak to the BBC please fill in the form below.
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