Passengers have been switching in large numbers from the plane to the train since the Eurostar began running from the UK to France, an official at the firm has said, something that may interest Normandy property investors.

Director of corporate communications at the Channel Tunnel rail service operator Simon Montague said the rail option has benefited from greater reliability, with a punctuality rate of 92.4 per cent in the past year, compared with 65.4 per cent for airlines.

He added that there are other benefits from rail travel, commenting: "It’s also more convenient for people who are on business, you can work and have productive time on board which they simply don’t get if they are on a short haul flight."

Normandy property owners keen to rent out holiday lets to those travelling by train to or through northern France may also benefit from the increase in Eurostar passenger numbers.

The firm noted that these rose to 9.1 million in 2008 – an annual rise of 10.3 per cent.

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