London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the British government to intervene to prevent potential chaos on the Eurostar rail link with France.
This call comes as the European Union plans to implement new biometric border controls, requiring travelers from non-EU countries like Britain to register facial and fingerprint scans upon entry.
Earlier this week, HS1, the operator of the rail line between London and the Channel Tunnel, warned of potential long delays and service limitations on Eurostar trains due to the upcoming border checks.
Khan emphasized the need for government support to address these issues, as disruptions could have detrimental effects on London’s retail and leisure industries, especially during the crucial Christmas trading period.
Eurostar, responsible for passenger rail services connecting London to Paris and other European capitals, previously experienced a 30% reduction in peak capacity in London when border checks were introduced after Brexit in 2020. The implementation of new biometric controls raises concerns about further disruptions and capacity limitations.
Khan stressed the importance of maintaining the success of the Eurostar for London and the UK’s economic prosperity. He called on the government to take proactive measures to ensure smooth operations and mitigate potential disruptions caused by the new border checks.
As the deadline for the EU’s new border controls approaches, there is growing urgency for collaborative efforts between the government, HS1, and Eurostar to address logistical challenges and safeguard the efficiency of cross-border travel via the Eurostar rail link.
