News

A technical fault in the Channel Tunnel which trapped passengers on a train for six hours today (3 August) has caused lengthy queues of freight vehicles and cars.

The problem, reportedly a power cut, forced police to divert all non-freight traffic off the M20 at junction 11, near Hythe, on to the A20.

The M20 was closed between junctions 11 and 12, the Cheriton turn-off at Folkestone, police said.

Lorries parked between the two junctions in keeping with phase one of Operation Stack, its emergency plan for dealing with problems in the Channel Tunnel.

In the tunnel itself conditions quickly got uncomfortable as temperatures increased.

A passenger told the BBC that some of the people in the double-stacked vehicles didn't fare so well and it got very, very hot.

"Three babies, I understand, were very poorly and they had to get a doctor on board to see to them."

Kent police have urged those in the area to only travel if they must.

"Motorists are advised to avoid the area unless their journey is absolutely necessary," a statement said.

Delays of up to six hours have been reported.