SNCF: TGV traffic between Paris and the Southwest resumes – Le Point

The TGV traffic between Montparnasse and the South West towards Hendaye resumed at 7:30 p.m., but one lane only, at the height of the accident that occurred in Chalais between Libourne and Angouleme, did he do it learned Friday from the SNCF. Traffic should return to normal during the evening, but sometimes retardssont them more than four hours

Pagaille on the rail for holiday departures. TGV traffic was completely stopped between Friday afternoon Paris-Montparnasse and the southwest of France because of a damaged catenary power pillar in a road accident near Angouleme. 32,000 passengers would be “concerned” by the interruption according to Agence France-Presse. TGV traffic was stopped in both directions at 15 h 40, on routes between Paris-Montparnasse to Hendaye-Bordeaux and Paris-Montparnasse to Bordeaux-Toulouse. According to SNCF, the traffic is not expected to resume before the start of the evening.

The accident causing the interruption occurred at 15 h 30 in the municipality of Chalais, between Libourne and Angouleme (Charente). Significant damage was recorded in the sector. “A car hit a power pole,” said SNCF on its website. “Extensive damage was recorded in this sector,” said the group, which said it had halted traffic “to allow (his) teams to intervene.” The car was off the road and has “hit a pylon supporting the overhead lines that fell on the path,” said the gendarmerie. The accident, which occurred on a road located in railway border, caused no injuries, she said.

All travelers reimbursed at 100%

According to the SNCF, two other incidents were also disrupted traffic at the same time: fire, occurred in the vicinity of the tracks near Vendôme and Bordeaux. They need the intervention of firefighters but “are now extinct,” said a spokesman for the group. According to a police source, 18 were on the TGV routes between Montparnasse and the West at the time of the incident. They circulated late Friday afternoon with delays of up to four hours, the source said.

The departures of trains in stations still have their side was suspended, pending damaged catenary be rectified. “A crane is on its way” to the scene of the accident, said the spokesman for SNCF. “If all goes well, the trains can run on a track from 20 hours,” said the spokesman, which ensures that no train was “distressed” at the end of the afternoon, the TGV stuck on the tracks being “offered water” and all “conditioned”.

All stranded passengers will be reimbursed 100% of the cost of their trip, said the spokesman for SNCF. This incident caused the mess in stations, where hundreds of thousands of travelers are expected this weekend because of the major holiday departures. SNCF Friday urged travelers to postpone their departure.

“We will say goodbye to our weekend”

At Montparnasse, travelers were trying Friday to clear a way past the docks in tropical heat, looking for information, according to an AFP journalist on the spot. “For Bordeaux there is no train leaving! “Shouted an employee of SNCF. A lady came to greet his daughter locked in a train for hours, confided not know “what to do”. “We had to leave together! “

buoy swimming around the neck and business suit, Hugo Journel take his troubles patiently:” For the information is contradictory, but I think the train will be deleted. We will say goodbye to our weekend, “says the young man. Part 15 h 23 to reach Montparnasse Bordeaux, a journalist from Agence France-Presse said he was “vexed” his train, blocked a first time north of Vendome, then again a few kilometers later, finally turned back way back in Montparnasse.

The SNCF must transport this was 24 million people over long distances, up 6% from last year. SNCF plans to circulate a total of over 67,000 long-distance trains, against 62,000 during the summer of 2014.