High-speed rail services between St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International are facing severe disruptions today due to flooding in a tunnel beneath the River Thames. Passengers travelling to and from London have been impacted by this unforeseen incident.
Southeastern, the rail operator, has issued an advisory indicating a “very limited service” running between St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International. This disruption has had a ripple effect on commuters relying on these high-speed trains for their journeys.
To mitigate the inconvenience faced by passengers, Southeastern is recommending the use of alternative services departing from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, and London Bridge train stations.
In an official statement, Southeastern explained, “There will be a very limited service to and from St Pancras International for the rest of the day because of flooding in a tunnel in the Ebbsfleet International area. Flooding has occurred in one of the two railway tunnels near Ebbsfleet, meaning only one tunnel is open. This has reduced the capacity available to run trains. Disruption will continue until the end of service today.”
Notably, Eurostar services have also been affected by the flooding incident. Passengers travelling with Eurostar are experiencing delays of up to one hour as rail staff work diligently to address the water-related issues.
The disruption in rail services comes in the wake of a yellow weather warning issued for Kent. This warning has been issued due to anticipated winds of up to 75mph along the coast.
The Met Office has extended this alert to cover the southern regions of England, with the warning period commencing at 11 am on Saturday and lasting until 3 am on Sunday. These weather conditions may further impact travel and transportation in the area.
Passengers are advised to stay informed about service updates and consider alternative travel arrangements as disruptions are expected to persist throughout the day. The rail operators and relevant authorities are working to resolve the situation and ensure the safety and convenience of all passengers.
