London mayor Sadiq Khan warns of potential chaos for Eurostar passengers due to new EU border checks
London mayor Sadiq Khan has raised concerns over the potential for chaos and disruption for Eurostar passengers traveling from Britain to the continent once the European Union’s new computerized border scheme is implemented. The EU Entry/Exit System, scheduled to launch in October after numerous delays, will require all visitors entering the EU with visas or visa waivers to go through an automated process. Last year, almost 19 million people utilized the Eurostar, which connects Britain with Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as travel numbers rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
The new system aims to record the details and biometric data of non-EU nationals, along with their entry and exit dates, enabling authorities to monitor overstays and refused entries. However, Khan has expressed concerns about the potential impact of these post-Brexit checks on Eurostar operations.
As it stands, these new post-Brexit checks will cause chaos at St Pancras, with cuts to services and potentially huge queues facing passengers at peak times, said Khan, who belongs to the main opposition Labour party. He emphasized that this issue is a direct result of Brexit and cannot be dismissed by government ministers.
The United Kingdom formally left the EU in early 2020 following the 2016 Brexit referendum, resulting in British citizens losing the right to freedom of movement within the bloc. The introduction of the automated system will replace passport stamping for British travelers heading to France.
HS1, the operator of the line between London and the Channel Tunnel to France, has expressed concerns about the inadequate preparations for the new border scheme. These concerns include the potential for significant queues and the need to cap passenger numbers. HS1 informed UK lawmakers that registering a non-EU passenger at the border could add at least an additional two minutes of travel time per person.
Khan called on ministers to provide HS1 and Eurostar with the urgent support they need to address these issues. He emphasized that service cuts and longer delays are not acceptable options.
A spokesperson for the UK government stated that officials are working closely with the EU to minimize any impact resulting from the introduction of the new system.
With millions of travelers relying on the Eurostar for essential connections between Britain and various EU countries, the potential disruption caused by the new border checks is a matter of concern for passengers and authorities alike. Khan’s call for immediate action highlights the need to address these issues promptly to ensure smooth operations for Eurostar passengers and maintain efficient travel between Britain and the continent.
