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Eurostar begins breakdown inquiry Eurostar begins breakdown inquiry
(10 minutes later)
Eurostar has launched an immediate review into train breakdowns over the weekend which have stranded and delayed tens of thousands of passengers.Eurostar has launched an immediate review into train breakdowns over the weekend which have stranded and delayed tens of thousands of passengers.
Meanwhile trains modified overnight are being tested on Monday, after services were suspended for a third day.Meanwhile trains modified overnight are being tested on Monday, after services were suspended for a third day.
More than 55,000 travellers saw their had journeys cancelled after six trains broke down, in what Eurostar said was unprecedented winter weather in France.More than 55,000 travellers saw their had journeys cancelled after six trains broke down, in what Eurostar said was unprecedented winter weather in France.
The company hopes to announce on Monday evening when services will resume.The company hopes to announce on Monday evening when services will resume.
But it has warned it will take time to clear the backlog of stranded passengers.But it has warned it will take time to clear the backlog of stranded passengers.
Thousands and thousands of families are having their Christmas ruined this year Transport Minister Sadiq KhanThousands and thousands of families are having their Christmas ruined this year Transport Minister Sadiq Khan
Eurostar said the review would be an independent inquiry led by Christopher Garnett, a former commercial director of Eurotunnel and chief executive of rail company GNER, and Claude Gressier, who is inspector general of bridges and roads in France.Eurostar said the review would be an independent inquiry led by Christopher Garnett, a former commercial director of Eurotunnel and chief executive of rail company GNER, and Claude Gressier, who is inspector general of bridges and roads in France.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said he had asked for the review to report not to the Eurostar board but to him and to shareholders. He said he would be speaking to his French and Belgian counterparts about the issue.Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said he had asked for the review to report not to the Eurostar board but to him and to shareholders. He said he would be speaking to his French and Belgian counterparts about the issue.
"Thousands and thousands of families are having their Christmas ruined this year," he said."Thousands and thousands of families are having their Christmas ruined this year," he said.
A statement on the company's website said it "sincerely regretted" having to halt services for a third day.A statement on the company's website said it "sincerely regretted" having to halt services for a third day.
"We understand how frustrated and disappointed travellers will be, particularly those who have been waiting to travel for the last two days," said a statement on the firm's website."We understand how frustrated and disappointed travellers will be, particularly those who have been waiting to travel for the last two days," said a statement on the firm's website.
Travellers who had bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday will be able to claim "reasonable out-of-pocket expenses" for hotel, transport and meal costs.Travellers who had bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday will be able to claim "reasonable out-of-pocket expenses" for hotel, transport and meal costs.
EUROSTAR ADVICE If your journey is not essential, do not travelA full refund will be offered to those whose journeys have been affectedPassengers whose journeys were severely disrupted on Friday or Saturday will also be given £150 compensation, out-of-pocket expenses, and a free return ticketThose who had bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday can claim "reasonable" out-of-pockets expenses such as hotel, transport and meal costsAll updates will be posted on the Eurostar website and given out to news outlets Are you a Eurostar passenger?EUROSTAR ADVICE If your journey is not essential, do not travelA full refund will be offered to those whose journeys have been affectedPassengers whose journeys were severely disrupted on Friday or Saturday will also be given £150 compensation, out-of-pocket expenses, and a free return ticketThose who had bookings for Saturday, Sunday or Monday can claim "reasonable" out-of-pockets expenses such as hotel, transport and meal costsAll updates will be posted on the Eurostar website and given out to news outlets Are you a Eurostar passenger?
Eurostar has modified its trains to try to stop water getting into the electrical systems.Eurostar has modified its trains to try to stop water getting into the electrical systems.
It said snow shields used to protect the electrics had worked for the 15 years it has been running services through the tunnel.It said snow shields used to protect the electrics had worked for the 15 years it has been running services through the tunnel.
But Eurostar's commercial director Nick Mercer told BBC News that "acute" conditions in northern France this year had taken the operator by surprise. More snow is forecast for the area on Monday.But Eurostar's commercial director Nick Mercer told BBC News that "acute" conditions in northern France this year had taken the operator by surprise. More snow is forecast for the area on Monday.
Eurostar has warned it will be not able to carry all of the passengers due to travel over the next few days as well as the backlog of those whose journeys have already been cancelled.Eurostar has warned it will be not able to carry all of the passengers due to travel over the next few days as well as the backlog of those whose journeys have already been cancelled.
It is advising people to postpone their trip unless absolutely necessary.It is advising people to postpone their trip unless absolutely necessary.
Mr Mercer said the company believed it had now identified the cause of the problems.Mr Mercer said the company believed it had now identified the cause of the problems.
"We will be testing the trains with the new modifications in the deteriorating snow conditions," he said."We will be testing the trains with the new modifications in the deteriorating snow conditions," he said.
"On the assumption that that works, then we hope to be able to make an announcement on the resumption of service.""On the assumption that that works, then we hope to be able to make an announcement on the resumption of service."
Passenger compensationPassenger compensation
More than 2,000 passengers were trapped on six trains in the Channel Tunnel on Friday and Saturday amid wintry weather.More than 2,000 passengers were trapped on six trains in the Channel Tunnel on Friday and Saturday amid wintry weather.
There was a severely disrupted service on Saturday, when 31,000 ticket holders were forced to change their travel plans.There was a severely disrupted service on Saturday, when 31,000 ticket holders were forced to change their travel plans.
Eurostar hopes to announce on Monday evening when services will resumeEurostar hopes to announce on Monday evening when services will resume
All services were cancelled on Sunday and a further 27,000 people were left stranded.All services were cancelled on Sunday and a further 27,000 people were left stranded.
Passengers who suffered the worst delays on Saturday and Sunday - on eight trains specified on the Eurostar website - will be offered a full refund, out-of-pocket expenses, £150 compensation and a free return ticket.Passengers who suffered the worst delays on Saturday and Sunday - on eight trains specified on the Eurostar website - will be offered a full refund, out-of-pocket expenses, £150 compensation and a free return ticket.
On Sunday, all ferry services from Dover to Dunkirk, Boulogne and Calais were running, easing traffic queues that had built up.On Sunday, all ferry services from Dover to Dunkirk, Boulogne and Calais were running, easing traffic queues that had built up.
But freezing conditions continued to disrupt travel in other parts of the country, including flight cancellations or delays at Bristol, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Inverness airports.But freezing conditions continued to disrupt travel in other parts of the country, including flight cancellations or delays at Bristol, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Inverness airports.
In Scotland, forecasters warned heavy snow would continue to affect the west and north of the country.In Scotland, forecasters warned heavy snow would continue to affect the west and north of the country.
Motorists suffered hour-long delays after black ice and a jack-knifed lorry affected the A80 at Castlecary in central Scotland.Motorists suffered hour-long delays after black ice and a jack-knifed lorry affected the A80 at Castlecary in central Scotland.
Police in the Highlands advised motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.Police in the Highlands advised motorists not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
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Rain

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Snow

Light Heavy
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