Euro Tunnel

safrane

Member
Messages
16,909
Im due to travel to Europe in Sept but the recent troubles are putting me off.

Has anyone used it during the recent issues and are their any decent alternatives rather than a truck carrier into Dunkirk.?

I previously used the fast cat from Newhaven but I think that has stopped now.
 

c4sman

Member
Messages
1,264
I'm in France now with the GTS and travelled on Saturday morning. Arrived an hour earlier than normal as we found out operation stack was in force. The announcement at check in was that our train would be delayed by 4 hours. It actually left only 1h45m late so much better than expected. There was lots of queueing to get through check in but fine after that. Maybe we were lucky and I don't know what the return trip will be like but all it meant for us was a longer, bigger breakfast than originally planned!
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,909
Hmmm was thinking about a non stop from Bristol to Grenoble but an extra few hrs delay could mean 14/17 hours in the car.
 

CraigNicol123

New Member
Messages
76
I'm in Italy just now with the GTS and used the eurotunnel on the 21st and from arriving to boarding the train it was literally 30 minutes. Absolutely no delay at all for me, unsure about what else has been going on but our recent trip was trouble free. I am taking it back again on Monday 2nd August so hopefully it is fine.
 

TridentTested

Member
Messages
1,819
Was there at the weekend.

Going over the A2>M2>A260>M20 avoided Operation Stack and had us there without delay. Slight delay in the terminal (massive queues at coffee shop).

Returning on Monday there were no delays and it was gratifying to read the ferries were delayed due to adverse weather.
 

TridentTested

Member
Messages
1,819
Top tip for using the Folkestone terminal when it's busy:

Turn right immediately when entering the car park and drive the full length of the first car park aisle. You'll be surprised that there is no way back into the car park and it looks like you are committed to continuing to the passport control.

But just before a small service road with a barrier you'll see they've dipped the pavement to allow overflow parking on the grass.

Here we are, on a busy July morning, with delays, the terminal building was packed, the car park was packed, but this little field was an oasis of calm.


Field600.jpg

150723-Holland-01.jpg
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,673
I am due through the tunnel to France a week Saturday, i am going to struggle to restrain myself when i see those F***ers hanging around the terminal!

Those immigrants might get the finger too!
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
So so glad I am flying down to Nice and hiring a car from there. Don't need the stress of delays and all those low lifers around Calais!
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,673
In all seriousness this will get cleared up very quickly. The UK government are tasking it and the French are drafting in a load more staff.

Rather than just escort failed escapees 3 miles down the road they need to jail, extrodide or shoot them. If i ran through a french or UK airport, i would be shot, why are these immigrants alowd to do what they want without fear of any punishment?
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
ATC strikes are traditional in August... ;)

Yes I'm sure, I'd still rather have that than a ferry or chunnel strike. At least I can check on my phone rather than sitting in my car on on the Motorway in a 20 mile tailback (operation stack).

:D
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,909
Yesterday they were advising day trippers to make new arrangements - today they are telling hauliers to seek alternate routes...and the strikers are not currently blockading the ports/roads
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
In all seriousness this will get cleared up very quickly. The UK government are tasking it and the French are drafting in a load more staff.

I wish I had your optimism Matt. Living in Ashford, we've had Operation Stuck (as it's now called round here) in place for 16 of the last 30 days.
So the idea that it will get cleared up quickly is quite frankly laughable.
I even wrote to my MP, even he has no answers. And openly admits it.
The latest the UK government has done is to ask the French to actually uphold the law! As if they're going to do anything of the sort! They want rid of the immigrants, so if they end up in the UK they're off their hands!

I suggested rolls and rolls of razor and barbed wire like in WWI but apparently that's against human rights! What a load of tosh!

It's making me contemplate moving, from what is actually quite a nice part of the world, well, it is when you haven't got a 38 tonne truck coming down a country lane at you when it's only just wide enough for a car!
Last Saturday it took 70 minutes to do what is normally a 10 minute journey because of 'Stuck', it's now costing my business money as we're waiting for equipment from Sweden which comes via Calais and Dover. God knows how much is being lost in total. I read somewhere that it costs the UK economy £500m a DAY!

Send in the army and let them use the immigrants for target practice, that would soon make them think twice about coming here!
 

jluis

Member
Messages
1,703
Why are there so many immigrants wanting to go to the UK anyway?
They are refugees and already arrived in Europe. Why bother going north and not just settle in France and Italy?
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Is it too late to concrete that tunnel - The French are obviously doing nothing - If they were the migrants would not get as far as Calais.