Drivers pick Eurotunnel for Continental trips

More holidaymakers used Eurotunnel's shuttles to drive to the Continent last year, helping the Channel Tunnel train operator enjoy a 26% jump in 2010 revenues to 736.6 million (£615.6 million).

Eurotunnel's car shuttle traffic rose 11% to 2.1 million last year, while 1.1 million trucks used the service — 42% more than in 2009.

The numbers of coaches also rose, but rail freight declined 4% to 1.1 million tonnes last year, which Eurotunnel blamed on French strike action.

"Despite the very difficult economic situation, Eurotunnel's activities have shown strong growth," said Jacques Gounon, the company's chief executive.

Eurotunnel admitted it was hit hard by the snow at the end of last year.

"The extreme bad weather in December 2010 had a significant impact on the roads leading to and from the terminals and speed limits on Eurostar trains affected the volumes throughout the month, which could therefore have been even better," the operator said.