Fire In The Chunnel !!!

[J.P]

Could well bugger up our trip to Belgium !!!!!!!

[scrapps]

Could well bugger up our trip to Belgium !!!!!!!

Where did you hear this I have not heard it on local radio?

[Mand]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7610919.stm

[J.P]

It's a invention called TV ! BBC News 24

[wooley_t]

Bit scary knowing what day it is.......

[Mand]

Bit scary knowing what day it is.......

What? Thursday? ;)

[scrapps]

As long as it was not to bad they will have it running again very soon, the tunnel has had 3-4 fires in the past and never taken long to sort. plus its two tunnels with a centre escape tunnel so they can run with just one..
Lest hope it was not a bad fire :on:

[J.P]

It's the French and their Gitanes cigarettes !

[scrapps]

As much as i hate having a solid link with france its bloody handy so lets hope they get it sorted soon.

[wooley_t]

9/11......

[nik_the_brief]

Nope 11/9 - we're bloody well in Blighty and I hate that feckin' Americanism.

I heard it on the radio and left work in Dover about an hour after it started to find the whole of the end of the A20 into Dover stationary for about four miles going towards the Docks and for a couple of miles on the way out.

Fortunately me and my skinny little Monnie were able to thread our way through it all and weren't held up for more than an additional 5 minutes altogether.

Wouldn't want to be in a car on the way in though!

[Mand]

Nope 11/9 - we're bloody well in Blighty and I hate that feckin' Americanism.



Oh thank Christ somebody else has said that! It bloody well grates on me!

I just hope you guys get yourselves over to Belgium and loads of fun, can't wait to see the photos etc. , send my regards to Jean Claude.... xx

[Stafford]

Tunnel or ferry vouchers, who cares WE'RE GOING TO BELGIUM

[Plum]

Just a bit of trivia for you

When you saw the English and French meet up in the middle and they broke through to complete the tunnel, the very first woman through was my cousin. She was a nurse on the french side

Just thought you might like to know that

[Mand]

Just a bit of trivia for you

When you saw the English and French meet up in the middle and they broke through to complete the tunnel, the very first woman through was my cousin. She was a nurse on the french side

Just thought you might like to know that

I'm suitably impressed old bean. :)

[ladybird]

Tunnel or ferry vouchers, who cares WE'RE GOING TO BELGIUM

if it's ferry please pack as many brown paper bags as possible... http://www.jammerbabe.com/images/Smiley/puke.gif

[logyk]

Oh thank Christ somebody else has said that! It bloody well grates on me!

I just hope you guys get yourselves over to Belgium and loads of fun, can't wait to see the photos etc. , send my regards to Jean Claude.... xx

Van Damme ?????

Is he in the Beligian MOC ???

[Albie]

He might be. Get old Whitham over there to do a write and someone call Brad Pitt. Need as many as we can.

[wooley_t]

get yourselves to belgium whatever the weather!!!!. Sounds like a good doo!!

[Mand]

Van Damme ?????

Is he in the Beligian MOC ???

That's the fella, you just never know Phil, you just never know....!

[scrapps]

So the tunnel is still on fire today ! and its not looking good for the belgium trip. how long do we leave it untill we try and book a boat? the longer we wait to see how the tunnel goes the less chance of getting 15 or so bikes on a saturday morning boat ?:worried:

[ladybird]

Can't they just open a hatch and flood the fire out?

[scrapps]

Can't they just open a hatch and flood the fire out?

I think a fire inside a tunnel is prob hard to kill as u cant drop water on the top only spray the sides? maybe they could starve it of oxygen instead ?

[JerryXt]

I think the issue is that they abandon the train and all the lorries in the tunnel and the crew/passengers just leg it down the escape tunnel. So you have literally tons of fuel down there feeding the fire, then you have to get the train, lorries etc out, then you can check for structural damage...

Still, Pimms on the foredeck anyone? :chuckle:

[scrapps]

Right guys and girls. sue has spoken to euro tunnel and they said...
the fire is now out and they are waiting to inspect the damage,last time(a much smaller fire) it took two weeks to repair the damaged tunnel.they hope to have a emergency service giong before next weekend but can't guarantee how good it will be or if they can take us .
They suggested we seek another way across and claim a refund.
so it looks like ferrys are our best bet.does someone want to try and get a group booking or shall we just try and sort ourselves?

[nambduke]

......it took 6months to repair the tunnel when they had a fire! The fire was so intense it 'melted' the concrete liner......Scorchieoooooo

I'm hoping it's sorted for my ski trip in March!!!!

Think you guys need to get the ferry sorted as plan B asap. Norfolkline is cheap alternative.........Dover / Dunkerque route. Used it many times and usually very good.

Regards,
Mark Nambduke

[scrapps]

......it took 6months to repair the tunnel when they had a fire! The fire was so intense it 'melted' the concrete liner......Scorchieoooooo

I'm hoping it's sorted for my ski trip in March!!!!

Think you guys need to get the ferry sorted as plan B asap. Norfolkline is cheap alternative.........Dover / Dunkerque route. Used it many times and usually very good.

Regards,
Mark Nambduke

I just looked on norfolk line they go every 2hrs and at the moment cost £45.00 for a bike ?

[scrapps]

Spoken to norfolk line and they can take all bikes on a 8am or 10am crossing and if we group book they will give a discount. 14 bikes for £562.00 return thats £40.14 each.
worth thinking about !

[J.P]

Definitely Scrapps.

[ladybird]

can we make it the 10am ;) I'm already struggling to get up for the train :)

[gary tompkins]

Spoken to norfolk line and they can take all bikes on a 8am or 10am crossing and if we group book they will give a discount. 14 bikes for £562.00 return thats £40.14 each.
worth thinking about !
I tried for an hour to get through to Eurotunnel this morning - line was always busy :grump:

If we are going by ferry can you find out how much trike will cost?

or.... give me a number so I can ring and ask myself

Thanks

[scrapps]

Gary norfolk line is £45.00 if booked on the net and if we can group book £40.00 (maybe hard to sort).
I am happy just to book norfolk line at 10am and claim tunnel money back later.
we will need to sort soon as peole will be doing the same when they know the tunnel is fooked.

[Stafford]

What details are required to do the block booking?
I can do it but we need a list of all those who want to do this and I'll pay for it, you can sort me out next week.

[ladybird]

Is it that as a round trip or just to get out there?
In any case, count me in for what ever needs doing.

[rollo22]

Just had a look at Norfolk line site £45 return

On for the 10am ferry

[Albie]

I will go with the flow guys as long as we get there.

[Stafford]

How quickly will we find out if the tunnel will be open?

[Albie]

Its meant to be 48 hours. But I dont know if thats for the other tunnel running 1 in 1 out. I will keep watching posts on BBC south east.

[alan c]

i am ok for ferry, just dont want to miss weekend.

[gary tompkins]

I rang Norfolk line and they confirmed trike is same cost as a bike. I was quoted £56 on phone but Scrapps thinks this includes booking fee? Anyway.. I'll either book online tonight or book by phone in the morning.

Can we confirm sailing times so we can try to get on same boat?

I spotted suggested 10am out-bound, but what time for return... mid afternoon Monday would seem ideal as it avoids riding home in the dark?

[Grumpy]

I would suggest if there is no positive news about the tunnel by say 5pm tomorrow, we go with the ferry. I'm happy to go with the flow as to what ferry we catch, and will reimberse you,Stafford on sat morning.

Stafford, are reg No's reg for the booking?

[Stafford]

I would suggest if there is no positive news about the tunnel by say 5pm tomorrow, we go with the ferry. I'm happy to go with the flow as to what ferry we catch, and will reimberse you,Stafford on sat morning.

Stafford, are reg No's reg for the booking?

Sounds like a plan, I will need.
Names, addresses and registration numbers if we need to go this way.
Fingers crossed.

Edit: At this time it seems they hope to open the south tunnel at some point. This will of course still lead to delays, I'll try and call on Saturday and see if they intend to extend the pre-booked ticket offer of going to the port anyway and getting a ferry crossing. If this is a go then we should not need to purchase a ferry ticket.

[nik_the_brief]

Local people in the know seem to be saying that it's most unlikely that any trains will be running this side of Monday I'm afraid. Hope this is just pessimism on their part but if I were you I'd make sure I had a plan B...

[gary tompkins]

Latest news is Eurotunnel hope to have a restricted service running by next Saturday. Bearing in mind the backlog of freight by then... it's gonna be chaos at Dover :Furious: Scrapps was advised by Eurotunnel today to arrange alternative crossings via ferry.

[nik_the_brief]

Latest news is Eurotunnel hope to have a restricted service running by next Saturday. Bearing in mind the backlog of freight by then... it's gonna be chaos at Dover :Furious: Scrapps was advised by Eurotunnel today to arrange alternative crossings via ferry.

It IS bloody chaos at Dover Gary, I have first hand experience to attest to that.

[Stafford]

Latest news is Eurotunnel hope to have a restricted service running by next Saturday. Bearing in mind the backlog of freight by then... it's gonna be chaos at Dover :Furious: Scrapps was advised by Eurotunnel today to arrange alternative crossings via ferry.

Plan B begins will all giving me their details then, I'll go and empty my PM box.

[Albie]

Pm'd you Stafford.:thumbsup:

[rollo22]

Pm'd you Stafford

[Grumpy]

Pm'd you Stafford

[gary tompkins]

Pm'd details - thanks

[Gadget]

Pm'd you Stafford.

[Grumpy]

Just been listening to sky news whilst getting ready for work, they claim the tunnel has re-opened, can someone check situation with eurotunnel?

[Stafford]

15 so far good shout IMHO

Please check these details in case I have it wrong. Looks like we should have some fun. I cant wait to see Logyk sorting out the sat nav at calais. Hmm video needed

##Alan C Tunnel Sat-Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##Albie Tunnel, Sat -Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##JP Tunnel Sat- Sun Booked 9.20-21.50 Boskapelhoeve
##GT Tunnel Sat -Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##Scrapps Tunnel Sat-Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##Gadget Tunnel Sat-Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##Stuart42 Tunnel Sat - Mon Booked 10.20 Boskapelhoeve
##Stafford Tunnel Booked Sat-10.20 Mon-14.20 Boskapelhoeve
##White537 Tunnel Booked Boskapelhoeve
##rollo22 Tunnel Sat -Mon Booked 9.20-14.20 Boskapelhoeve

##slob/Thuli Tunnel Booked Fri-Mon Hotel Denderhof
##logyk Tunnel BookedSat - Mon Booked Hotel Denderhof
##Benson/PB Tunnel Fri/Sat to Sun/Mon Hotel Denderhof

##BluGuzzi - Tunnel Booked 8.42 Hotel Domus Portus


##Humbucker -Tunnel Booked 9:20 saturday coming back sunday
##Ladybird - Tunnel Booked 9.20-21.50

The undecided ones ??
Desmo & Roz Tunnel Sat-Mon
Scrumpster (Cheaper by ferry and depends on hip and dates etc)
Blind Alan n Sprint Ferry Fri-Mon

Now the only really tricky bit for me is getting a block booking for those that are not on the original "standard" of 9.20 out and 14.20 ret. For instance ladybird which day are you returning? This also apply's to rest as well if not listed above.
PLEASE GET YOUR DETAILS IN NOW! By PM or email is fine that might stop this thread becoming a mess. stafford@metronet.co.uk

I do have concerns that at this late a date this is a logistical nightmare, I'll do the best I can. But if I don't have all the info by later today I may have to say make it a free for all.

[J.P]

Just sent you two pm's Staff.

[alan c]

Pm,d You Stafford, Thanks.

[scrapps]

pm sent stafford.

Ooo the shirts are here i will take some to oakdene sunday. the monsters on tour looks great across the back. hope you all like them.

[gary tompkins]

Stafford,

I would try to block book for all the names you have in by tonight. Saturday 10am outbound, with 2pm return on the Monday as that's the times the majority booked on the train. Anyone that wants specific crossing times & return dates, or doesn't get you details by Sunday will have to book for themselves.

When I spoke to Norfolk line on Friday they had availability, but every day we wait risks not getting the crossings we want. Or even worse getting nothing at all :worried:

If nothing is confirmed by Monday morning I'll book my own crossing

[Stafford]

Just need to know what these guys want to do and their info.
If you have anyway of getting in touch please do and get them to get in touch or forward their info to me on their behalf, thanks.

##stuart42 reg number req.

##slob/Thuli Tunnel Booked Fri-Mon Hotel Denderhof travel times name and reg number req

##Benson/PB Tunnel Fri/Sat to Sun/Mon Hotel Denderhof travel times name and reg number req

##BluGuzzi - Tunnel Booked 8.42 Hotel Domus Portus travel times name and reg number req

##Ladybird - Tunnel Booked 9.20-21.50 Is this a Sunday night return?

:ukm:

[gary tompkins]

I've just called Ladybird but don't have numbers for the others?

[ladybird]

##Ladybird - Tunnel Booked 9.20-21.50 Is this a Sunday night return?

:ukm:

monday return with everyone else thanks :) was just having a nice kip

[Albie]

Some news which is a gamble imho.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080913/tuk-france-britain-fire-transport-resume-a7ad41d.html

[Gadget]

Benson and PB are not going. They have other commitments.
I have left Slob a VM.

[logyk]

Stafford you have a PM !

[gary tompkins]

Some news which is a gamble imho.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080913/tuk-france-britain-fire-transport-resume-a7ad41d.html


The last paragraph says it all TBH

"Nearly all 27 lorries riding the 700-metre-long France-bound train on which the fire broke out Thursday were burned, and Eurotunnel said it would take weeks to rebuild the stricken section of tunnel."

We could be stuck with one working tunnel for a long time. After the fire in 2006 freight was suspended for 2 weeks, and the damaged tunnel was out of action for 2 months.

[Stafford]

So far booked as follows:
Stafford Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495398
Gadget Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495402
GT Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495403
White537 Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495404
Rollo Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495405
Albie Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495406
alan c Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495407
scrapps Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495408
Ladybird Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495409
logyk Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 -12.01 653495410
J.P Sat 10.00 - Sunday 22.01 653495411
Humbucker Sat 10.00 - Sunday 22.01 653495412

The last numbers are your reference numbers, you'll need these at the port.
They have asked we get there 1 1/4 hours before the sailing to get all the final details in place. The total for this lot £504.00.
As for Stuart42, Slob and bluguzzi I can try and add you guys to the list but it may be easier to book solo. Apologies chaps but without your details I could not book a spot for you.

[Albie]

Much thanks for doing it Stafford. I guess better get on with claiming a refund straight away.

[rollo22]

Great Job Stafford
many thanks

[Stafford]

To save PM'ing the lot, a cheque or cash (in £'s or it just gets silly) next weekend will be fine thanks.
The credit card can wait until then.

[blueguzzi]

So far booked as follows:
Stafford Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495398
Gadget Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495402
GT Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495403
White537 Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495404
Rollo Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495405
Albie Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 – 14.01 653495406
alan c Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495407
scrapps Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495408
Ladybird Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 - 14.01 653495409
logyk Sat - Mon Booked 10.00 -12.01 653495410
J.P Sat 10.00 - Sunday 22.01 653495411
Humbucker Sat 10.00 - Sunday 22.01 653495412

The last numbers are your reference numbers, you'll need these at the port.
They have asked we get there 1 1/4 hours before the sailing to get all the final details in place. The total for this lot £504.00.
As for Stuart42, Slob and bluguzzi I can try and add you guys to the list but it may be easier to book solo. Apologies chaps but without your details I could not book a spot for you.


Many thanks to Stafford in getting the majority over to euroland at short notice.
I have just booked myself onto the SPEEDFERRIES option Dover/Bologne a 50min crossing leaving at 1045am return Sunday 2050, using the premier service you get priority boarding and free Tea and Cake in your own lounge area, the tea and cake sold it for me!!!!
They also securely fasten your bike with the hitchlugger system.
i will see you all there saturday sometime
Cheers
Hugh 07970 781008

[logyk]

Thanks for that Stafford

[Grumpy]

Stafford, your a star!
thanks.

[gary tompkins]

Top man Stafford :thumbsup:

How much was the cost each in the end - did we get any discount?

[Albie]

£504 divided by 12 = £42 as I see it

[Stafford]

As Albie says above £42.00, with fuel surcharges the cost was over £50 so not a bad price in the end.
Just in case I've got any of the timings incorrect you can amend them using your ref number, there should be no extra cost, I was told it's just a matter of space being available.
If anyone wants a copy of the email confirmation I've received then just drop me your email address. Although it's not very exciting, but it does mention the final cost. Or view it here http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q297/stafford23/Norfolklinemail.jpg

[scrapps]

cheers stafford for sorting the crossing,it will be a nice ikle boat ride.
TOP JOB:biggrin:

[ladybird]

xxx you're a star thank you
Now I just need to find the travel bands and pills, I don't travel well by water...

[nambduke]

....Norfolkline is cheap alternative.........Dover / Dunkerque route. Used it many times and usually very good.

Regards,
Mark Nambduke

Good to see you managed to get sorted......hope you all have a good trip!

Regards,
Mark Nambduke

[Stafford]

Just spoken to stuart42 he's now the the same ferry as well, ferry's don't burn do they?

[Grumpy]

yes they do!! and they sink!!!! Hope you can swim...lol

[Albie]

Aghhhhhhh dont start. Its our only hope now. Always borrow Top Gears pickup. Only fit one though

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adspackman/198823067/

[gary tompkins]

Got this email from Eurotunnel tonight...



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear MR TOMPKINS,

Due to an incident last week at Eurotunnel, we are operating a limited service
with one departure expected every two hours.

Please find below an outline of our Revised Shuttle Service.

Revised Shuttle Service Timetable.

06:00 to 20:00 (local time) from Folkestone to Calais

08:00 to 22:00 (local time) from Calais to Folkestone

Note: There will be no overnight service during this period.

Customers are requested to respect their booked departure time, within the
times of the Revised Shuttle Service Timetable. However, please be aware
extended waiting times are to be expected.

Customers with a booked departure time outside of the Revised Shuttle Service
Timetable above, should arrive between 06:00 and 20:00 from Folkestone to
Calais and between 08:00 and 22:00 from Calais to Folkestone (local time), to
avoid an over-extended waiting period.

Whilst we endeavour to resume our normal service as soon as possible, please
accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.

To rebook your travel for an alternative date, please call our Customer Contact
Centre on 08705 35 35 35.

To cancel your booked travel and request a refund, please send an email stating
your name, address and booking reference number to sales.support@eurotunnel.com

With our sincere apologies,


Jo Willacy
Commercial Director

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So I've just sent off a reply requesting a refund

Roll on Saturday :)