Kent CC played a key role in the emergency operation following the fire in the Eurostar tunnel. Staff were drafted in as part of the major incident contigency plan. Council coach drivers from its passenger services were pressed into action to help transport stranded passengers. And as part of the evacuation plan, returning passengers were sent on to ferries as foot passengers. The council's coach drivers were asked, after finishing their school contracts, to shuttle travellers from the Dover ferry terminal to Dover Priory and Ashford International railway stations.