Drivers have been warned they could be forced to pay twice to use the Eurotunnel this Easter due to a new rule which was quietly introduced last month.
LeShuttle, formerly known as Eurotunnel, has implemented new terms and conditions that void tickets for travellers who arrive less than one hour before their scheduled departure.
The policy, which came into effect on March 5, affects both outbound and return journeys with families heading abroad for Easter breaks being warned about the new change.
Under the new rules, drivers could potentially be forced to purchase new tickets at premium prices if they get delayed by traffic.
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Eurotunnel rules changed on March 5 with tougher measures put in place for drivers running late
PAPreviously, drivers had a two-hour grace period after their booked departure time to exchange tickets free of charge. The new policy has already caught some travellers by surprise, with reports of families facing unexpected additional charges.
Under the stricter rules, holidaymakers must check in at least 60 minutes before their booked train. Failure to meet this deadline results in tickets being declared void, even for the return journey.
This represents a significant change from the previous system, which allowed more flexibility for delayed passengers. The timing is particularly problematic as it coincides with the busy Easter travel period when roads are expected to be congested.
Operation Brock has already been implemented in Kent, with police stacking freight lorries on the M20 in anticipation of heavy holiday traffic.
One traveller had already fallen foul of the new rules when he discovered his £144 return journey had been cancelled because he arrived late for his intended departure.
When an automated ticket machine rejected his ticket, he contacted customer services only to be told both legs of his trip had been voided.
The resident was forced to pay £252 to rebook on the spot after being caught in traffic. "For most families going away for a weekend, if they get cheated and stuck with a £300 to £400 bill, it will completely ruin their holiday," he told the Telegraph.
The new policy comes at a particularly challenging time for Easter travellers, with multiple factors potentially causing delays.
Drivers are being advised to prepare for significant delays around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes. Particularly affected areas include the M6 at Birmingham and around Blackpool, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 at Bristol and the A303 in Wiltshire.
These traffic conditions increase the risk of travellers missing their check-in window and subsequently having their tickets voided.
But LeShuttle has defended the policy change, with a spokesman saying the new tickets give "more flexibility and control to our customers".
The spokesman explained: "After reviewing customer preferences and behaviours, we decided that we need a new, simpler ticket structure that matches the needs of our customers.
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Drivers can have their tickets voided if they check in only one hour before their shuttle
GETTY"If opting for the most restricted ticket, customers must arrive in time to travel on their booked departure, and this cannot be changed. Customers must confirm that they have read the ticket terms prior to making a booking."
