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Channel Tunnel parent company Getlink blames political uncertainty for drop in June traffic
08:40, 11 July 2019
updated: 08:42, 11 July 2019
Channel Tunnel bosses have blamed political uncertainty and the impact of Brexit for its latest monthly crossing figures, which saw a drop in both passenger and freight traffic.
Getlink, parent company of Eurotunnel, revealed truck traffic dipped by 14% in June compared to the same month a year before.
It blamed that on the "weakness in the automotive sector" which it says has been "slow to restart after spring shutdowns".
Many manufacturers produced an increase in vehicles ahead of the original March 29 Brexit date but then slowed production subsequently.
Since the start of the year, nearly 810,000 vehicles have used Le Shuttle freight services - down 4% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, during June, passenger vehicle number were down 2% - a dip Getlink blamed on "a politically uncertain UK market".
However, Eurotunnel - which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary - says it continues to strengthen its commercial position, despite the "challenging environment".
Since January 1 this year, 1.16m passenger vehicles have used the tunnel.
