Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Brussels sight crash: Eurostar transport recommendation

Eurostar services to Brussels will be suspended until Sunday at least, delaying hundreds of passengers as the clean-up operation after Monday"s crash makes slow progress.

Three days after the fatal collision which killed 18 people, the wreckage remains on the tracks nine miles south of the city, disrupting the rail network around the European transport hub.

Eurostar has urged those who do not need to travel to cancel their trip but a shuttle coach service to Lille is being operated for those stranded in Brussels.

Eurostar on empty platform

Suspended: Eurostar will not be running services to Brussels until Monday 22 February

The high speed rail company is offering refunds and exchanges to passengers holding tickets for travel to the Belgian city between 15 and 22 February.

Passengers wishing to cancel their journeys and claim a refund are advised to visit www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/customer_care/questions_answers.jsp

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Those wanting to exchange tickets for future travel have two months to do so and are advised to call 08432 186 186.

Services to and from Lille in France are operating a reduced service as the city is at a junction from which trains usually run on to both Paris and Brussels.

Eurostar has advised passengers to check the latest timetable on their website and warned that there may be delays. For the latest changes visit www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/customer_care/questions_answers.jsp

However, the company does report that services between London and Paris and Disneyland Resort Paris are operatingnormally.

For passengers whose travel cannot be avoided, the company is also running a shuttle coach service between Brussles and Lille which takes around one and a half hours.

In a statement, Eurostar said: "Passengers travelling to the UK are being checked in at Brussels Midistation for their onward journey by coach to Lille and then by Eurostarto Ashford, Ebbsfleet and London St Pancras International."