Eurotunnel slashes prices

Beleaguered Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel is slashing prices in its latest bid to compete with high speed ferry operators.

The Folkestone-based group is offering £100 (€150.67) return tickets for a car and passengers travelling to France until December 31.

The only restrictions on the offer include a requirement to travel to France after 2pm on the day of the outward journey and to return before 2pm on any subsequent day, bookable at least one day in advance.

Eurotunnel is facing tough competition from ferries and high speed catamaran services on routes from Dover to northern France.

The latest rival is Speedferries.com, which has launched a low-cost catamaran service offering to carry cars between Dover and Boulogne for £50 (€75) return.

Eurotunnel denied that the offer was designed to fight off new rivals, saying it had launched the same initiative last year to attract late-booking summer holidaymakers.

“It is certainly not a response to Speedferries,” a spokesman said.

However, competition from ferry operators is among the factors Eurotunnel has blamed for its woes.