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Five-hour delays as heat hits Eurotunnel services

Eurotunnel has warned of further delays today after ‘unprecedented’ high temperatures caused delays of up to five hours yesterday.

The cross-Channel rail operator said the heat had put pressure on air conditioning in the tunnel and thousands of tickets for today and Saturday have been cancelled.

The operator ran extra services overnight but with temperatures in the UK due to soar again today further problems are expected.

Customers were told yesterday there were 90 minute delays to check-in and up to five hours queues to access the terminal.

Reports said some customers were forced to wait for five hours in long queues leading to the Eurotunnel terminal in Kent.

Eurotunnel suggested customers cancel trips if they were able to and warned that ferry companies do not have the availability take any of our customers.

The operator advised customer to stock up with drinking water before they arrive at the terminal, as there was a long queue to check-in with no access to facilities.

According to the BBC bout 12,000 vehicles are trying to cross to France at the start of the holidays, compared with 3,000 on an average, off-peak day.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “We’ll keep things moving. Whether we are able to get everything clear depends on temperature and certain other elements.

“We are doing everything we possibly can. We know this is a critical time of year.

“Everything is hot inside the trains. The cars are hot. The engines are hot. All of that is putting pressure on the air conditioning.”

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