[Anonymous]

[AMcWhirter]

The news has just been announced on the website of Belgian railways.

Readers planning to take Eurostar, Thalys, TGV or ICE trains to Brussels on the above dates may now wish to rearrange their trips.

https://www.b-europe.com/Travel/Practical/Alerts

Right now, the Eurostar website makes no mention of the strikes on November 24 and December 1 but it does refer to the strikes due to take place on December 8 and 15.

Eurostar says that trains on December 8 and 15 are expected only to operate between London, Lille and return.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/service-information/eurostar-service-update

[Charles-P]

Part of a series of strikes and other industrial action here in Belgium related to the rail industry. The major driving force is a proposal to raise the retirement age for rail workers from 61 until 63. As might be imagined not a lot of public support.

[AMcWhirter]

Just a reminded that the first of the four Belgian rail strikes will take place next Monday.

It is expected that Eurostar trains will terminate in Lille Europe. It is unclear at present whether or not Eurostar will be offering alternative transport on to Brussels.

The strike will impact not just on those passengers taking Eurostar to Brussels. But it will also badly affect the growing number of travellers who are now choosing the rail option for trips via Brussels to Holland, Germany, Luxembourg and so on.

Rail agent Loco2 has put together an information page which lists the alterations/cancellations for passengers intending to take Eurostar and Thalys services.

http://help.loco2.com/article/252-strike-action-in-belgium-24november-1-8-15december

[AMcWhirter]

Correction to the above.

Eurostar’s London-Brussels services will be most affected on December 08 and December 15. Those are the dates when it is expected to run only as far as Lille.

Its services on November 24 and December 01 are expected to run right through to Brussels.

[Author]

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