'No guarantees' as Eurostar resumes

Dec 22 2009

Passengers left stranded by the Eurostar snow saga have reacted with anger as rail bosses resumed services - but told them they were still not guaranteed to get home for Christmas.

Travellers queued in their thousands to board the first journeys out of St Pancras International after three days of cancellations.

Amid chaotic scenes at the station, some spoke of their frustration that they were not guaranteed a seat, saying bosses still had "a lot to answer for".

The first batch of trains left the station as planned and services would operate on a "shuttle basis" to get as many people across the Channel as possible, a Eurostar spokeswoman said.

But when asked whether ticket-holders were guaranteed to get home in time for December 25, she said: "I cannot guarantee that, no."

Marc Stevens, 39, his wife and 18-month-old daughter were among thousands stuck after havoc was caused when snow got into the electrics of a number of trains.

Mr Stevens, an IT worker from Reading, Berkshire, who was due to travel to Paris on Saturday, said: "We are travelling with a young child yet we are not assured of a seat. It's been an appalling few days as we have missed out on seeing relatives who we had never met our daughter. We just want to go now."

Cedric Berger, 31, from Clapham, south London, was also due to travel back to Paris to see his family on Saturday. "It's been annoying but I have been told I'm definitely getting on. It's the people that were going to travel today or tomorrow that might miss out on Christmas."

Angeliki Pollato and Bryan Field, who were travelling to Italy for Christmas, said rail bosses should have been prepared for the big chill.

American Mr Field, 33, a physics professor at Durham University, said: "It's amazing how a little bit of snow causes complete breakdown. Why aren't the British prepared? We have lost £200 to £300 now in hotel fees. I hope we will be reimbursed."