Eurotunnel revenues rise as train takes freight strain

More holidaymakers choosing to drive to the Continent and a greater number of haulage firms moving freight between the UK and France helped Eurotunnel's like-for-like revenues rise 8% to 181.3 million (£158.6 million) in the three months to September.

The company, which manages the Channel Tunnel and carries car and coach passengers and freight lorrie, benefited from a 50% rise in truck shuttle traffic, a 15% increase in sales to car drivers and Eurostar demand growing 3%.

Eurotunnel's total revenues rose 27% to 212.1 million for the quarter.

Eurotunnel's chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: "During the summer Eurotunnel set historic records for volume."