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RoadForce



Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 333

Netherlands 2000 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Coniston Green
Taking the channel tunnel FR - GB with small children
Hi,

We will be spending our summer holiday in the UK and I was wondering if we will see some "nasty stuff" if we take the tunnel? It's been on the news many times that illegals try to get on/in/under lorries, sometimes using violence. We will be in a regular family estate (so not the Defender) sp I don't expect they will try to "board" us (right?), but we have small children and don't want them to witness any of the nasty stuff. Is that a real possibility, or are lorries and cars separated at an early stage and will we be OK?

I am sure some of you have travelled this route, are there any issues in this regard?

Thanks! Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000
Post #761174 28th Feb 2019 1:37pm
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Zed



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3243

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I use the tunnel 6-7 times a year. Never witnessed anything untoward.
Post #761177 28th Feb 2019 1:44pm
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Harry.O



Member Since: 25 Jul 2014
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 712

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi ST Nato Green
I used it probably a dozen times last year and it was absolutely fine Thumbs Up 2005 Td5 110 Hardtop
1989 300Tdi 90 Soft top
1992 200Tdi 90 Truck cab with Land Cruiser axles
Post #761186 28th Feb 2019 2:12pm
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RoadForce



Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 333

Netherlands 2000 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Coniston Green
Great, that's good to hear.

Just out of curiosity: is the whole thing blown up by the media, or is the problem simply located elsewhere? e.g. trucks and cars go different ways... Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000
Post #761188 28th Feb 2019 2:14pm
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G4UJS



Member Since: 20 Jan 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 226

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
Surely the tunnel is going to be filled in, in 29 days!

Cheers

Rob
Post #761189 28th Feb 2019 2:15pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4192

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
The tunnel has never been bad for migrants really. The ferry ports were worse. Coming out of Calais on the French side took you past the jungle, with all the migrants hanging about on the hard shoulder. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #761223 28th Feb 2019 5:55pm
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boxoftricks



Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 747

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver
We've likewise used with the kids and no problem. They have high walls on either side as you approach the tunnel if I remember correctly to keep anyone away from the roads. We always grab a Burger King in the departure building that you park next to whilst waiting. Also found it to be a great place to pick up bargain wine and beers.
Post #761224 28th Feb 2019 5:58pm
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RoadForce



Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Holland
Posts: 333

Netherlands 2000 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Coniston Green
Right, so when I thought the tunnel would be worse than the boat, it's actually the other way around? But that "jungle" was cleaned up last summer, right? So not really an issue anymore? Was thinking of taking the boat on our way to the UK, and take the tunnel on the way back (or the other way around).... Defender 130 HCPU Td5 MY2000
Post #761243 28th Feb 2019 7:23pm
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diesel_jim



Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6086

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Good excuse to keep driving and "take a few out"... just claim they were trying to hijack your car. Laughing
Post #761251 28th Feb 2019 7:47pm
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962JOF



Member Since: 26 Jan 2019
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 18

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
We use it a lot. Two years ago there were quite a few people walking around the autoroute on the outskirts of Calais, but last year I didn’t see anyone. I can recommend the Flexi-Plus with children. Costs a bit, but you can turn up at anytime, get into the lounge where there are toilets and ‘free’ drinks and food and then you just drive on to the next train when you’re ready. If you’ve had quite a long drive before you get there or you are travelling on a busy day then I highly recommended it. If you’re crossing in the middle of the night, then I wouldn’t bother. Producer / glasses-wearer / Londoner (& er Oxfordshire) 🎬 👓 💂‍♂️
Post #761257 28th Feb 2019 8:07pm
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legin



Member Since: 22 Jul 2017
Location: Chelmsford Essex
Posts: 1004

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Santorini Black
I used to go across weekly 3 to 4 years ago and it was bad been stopped in the tunnel with people running around but that's all came to a end over a year ago ,most drivers don't stop in the last service's and I have never used the Flexi-plus but mates with kids have and they say it's worth it.Enjoy England.
Post #761274 28th Feb 2019 9:13pm
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Intercept



Member Since: 27 Feb 2017
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 587

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 Black LE Java Black
Re: Taking the channel tunnel FR - GB with small children
RoadForce wrote:
are lorries and cars separated at an early stage

Yes, and they travel in different parts of the train too. The car carriages are fully enclosed, whereas the lorry carriages are more of an open frame.
Post #761332 1st Mar 2019 10:54am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4192

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Freight and cars are actually separate trains. You only get smaller vans and coaches in the car trains. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #761335 1st Mar 2019 11:26am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6601

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Different trains entirely  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #761336 1st Mar 2019 11:27am
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OsloBlue



Member Since: 14 Jul 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 822

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
Theres three types,

The shuttle which takes cars up to double decker coaches.
Class 92 which is for freight
and the international which is foot passenger only. I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html
Post #761337 1st Mar 2019 11:31am
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