Eurostar cancels half of London to Paris trains

On Friday, "50 percent of the traffic is cancelled" on the route, the spokeswoman told AFP, adding that Eurostar urged passengers to travel only if their trip was "essential."

"Given that the meteorological conditions are still very complicated, with temperatures between minus nine and minus 15 degrees (Celsius), traffic will be reduced until Sunday," she said.

Those who decided to postpone their trips could change their tickets free of charge or be reimbursed, while Eurostar would do its best to ensure that those who turn up at stations reached their destination, she said.

Eurostar faced fresh embarrassment on Thursday when a Brussels to London train had to be towed out of the Channel tunnel after being stuck there for more than two hours.