Severe Weather delays Eurostar services from St Pancras

Huge queues, estimated to contain around 4000 disgruntled Eurostar passengers have formed in and around St Pancras station in London.

Some travellers are returning home after a break in the UK, while other are trying to get away for the holidays. Several I spoke to had opted for the train due to the uncertainty facing those trying to leave the country by air. Some of those queuing had been there for 5 hours. Those queueing include families with young children and also some elderly travellers.

Conditions for those in the queue are dire. The temperature has barely risen above freezing all day and the ground underfoot is a mixture of frozen slush and freezing water.

Some passengers complained of a lack of information although there were several announcements telling passengers without tickets not to queue as there were no more tickets for sale.

Some relief to the conditions was supplied by the arrival of the Salvation Army, who set up an emergency mobile soup kitchen providing a hot drink to help stave off the cold.

The mood of those in the queue was generally one of resignation, although at several points during the day British Transport Police were on hand to help with the huge crowds.