Channel Tunnel traffic at a third

Eurostar is running passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel again

Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel says traffic will operate in the coming week at about a third of usual volume after Thursday's fire in the north tunnel.

Between 120 and 140 trains carrying Eurostar passengers, cars, freight or trucks will use the tunnel daily.

That compares with a daily average of between 300 and 400, said the firm.

Traffic in both directions between England and France will use the south tunnel only, which has re-opened to all four services which use the tunnel.

In total, up to 116 services carrying people or freight were expected to make the crossing in either direction on Sunday, said Eurotunnel.

The north tunnel remains closed while the French authorities investigate the fire which broke out on a freight train seven miles from France on Thursday.

The 16-hour blaze was put out on Friday morning.

'Alterations to timetable'

On Saturday the south tunnel came back into limited use, with some lorry shuttles and a reduced Eurostar passenger service operating.

Eurostar said that on Sunday it expected to run up to 10 trains each way between London and Paris, and up to five trains each way between London and Brussels.

It also said it would be operating the daily service each way between London and Disneyland Resort Paris.

See layout of Channel Tunnel

Trains would also call at Ashford International, Ebbsfleet International, Lille and Calais, Eurostar said.

"There will be continuing alterations to the timetable, as Eurostar adjusts its services to manage high levels of demand and the reduced tunnel capacity," the firm added.

And it warned that travellers would have to expect a much-longer period spent waiting to get through check-in.

Eurostar has said passengers who had bought weekend tickets but had chosen not to travel because of the fire could apply for a full refund or exchange their ticket by returning to the place from which it was bought.

Fire investigation

Thirty-two people on board were led to safety when the fire broke out. Fourteen had suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation.

The source of the blaze has not yet been identified but French officials say a lorry carrying chemicals, which is understood to have overturned on the freight train, was close to the seat of the fire.

It was carrying the chemical phenol, a toxic product used by the pharmaceutical industry.

French authorities are responsible for carrying out the investigation into the fire, although Kent Fire And Rescue Service said it would be supporting the inquiry.

The Channel Tunnel has suffered several incidents since it opened to traffic in 1994 although only one - a fire in 1996 - caused injuries.

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