The troubles of Operation Stack have not affected commuters and holidaymakers’ appetite for cross-Channel travel after Eurotunnel announced a record summer.

Its Le Shuttle Passenger service carried an unprecedented 658,000 vehicles in July and August, improving on the highs of last year, when 375,000 vehicles were transported in August alone.

Two other records were broken during the British summer holiday, with its highest single day traffic of more than 17,000 vehicles and the Bank Holiday representing its best weekend since it began 21 years ago.

During the peak periods on those days, more than 1,000 vehicles per hour were being loaded and transported by Eurotunnel teams.

Chairman and chief executive Jacques Gounon said: “I am grateful to our ever increasing numbers of loyal customers. These traffic figures demonstrate the vital role the Channel Tunnel plays in the European transport ecosystem.”