An advert for Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel has been banned for saying its passenger service runs in any weather, the British advertising watchdog said today.
A promotion sent by email for Eurotunnel services was tagged 'France in just 35 minutes', and stated '... whatever the weather...'
But one recipient, who was stuck at the Eurotunnel check-in desk in France for several hours last December because of snow challenged whether the claims were misleading.
After an investigation, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and said the ad must not appear again in its current from.
In its defence, Eurotunnel presented figures showing average crossing times for passenger and freight shuttles in 2009 was 34.81 minutes. It also said it believed a 'reasonable consumer would not take an absolute view of the claim 'whatever the weather'.'
The company said it had maintained the service and crossing time throughout bad weather over the years, but acknowledged five Eurostar trains broke down in the tunnel because of the freezing weather last year, bringing chaos to the service.
However, it emphasised that Eurostar was an entirely independent company and service, and while Eurostar trains broke down because of adverse conditions, Eurotunnel's own shuttle trains continued to operate.
