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Channel Tunnel Reopens With Reduced Service

The Channel Tunnel has been reopened after being closed earlier as a result of action by striking French ferry workers for the second time in a week.

Both Eurostar and Shuttle (Taiwan: 2405.TW - news) services were halted because of fire on the tracks at Calais caused by demonstrators.

But Eurotunnel said that the track had been cleared to allow the suspension to be lifted, but with a reduced service.

Eurostar said: "We will now be running a reduced service, with the first train departing at 15.31."

It comes as thousands face delays to their travel caused by the closure of the Port of Calais, which is likely to remain shut until Thursday.

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Industrial action caused widespread travel chaos on both sides of the Channel last week following wildcat action by employees worried about their jobs.

Large numbers of migrants took advantage of the queues that built up on the French side to attempt to get into UK-bound cars and lorries caught up in queues near Calais.

The UK government described the situation as "completely unacceptable".

Eurostar, which operates trains from St Pancras to cities in Belgium and France, said: "Eurotunnel (Paris: FR0010533075 - news) has advised that the Channel Tunnel has now reopened, following the decision to suspend all traffic due to the industrial action of MyFerryLink workers at the port of Calais.

"Eurostar services have now resumed. Passengers with a ticket for these trains should arrive at the station as normal, allowing plenty of time for check-in.

"Those who were booked onto a train cancelled today will need to rebook their ticket before travelling, through Eurostar.com "

It is understood that protesters broke in to the Eurotunnel site by cutting their way through fences and blocked the track with burning tyres at around 12.45am.

A statement by the UK said the British and French governments were working together to return services to normal as soon as possible.

It said: "Passengers on both sides of the Channel intending to travel through either Dover or Calais should check with their chosen operator before they travel.

"Operation Stack is in operation on the M20 and road users are advised to follow the signs in order to minimise disruption."

Ferry services to and from the Port of Dover in Kent have been hit by the strike, which started at the northern French port at 2.20pm on Monday.

A Port of Dover spokesman said DFDS Seaways services were still running to Dunkirk as normal.

A spokesman for Kent police said: "It is anticipated that due to industrial action in France the port in Calais is set to remain closed until Thursday."