February 10, 2024, 07:25
Sadiq Khan has called on the government not to “wash its hands” of post-Brexit bureaucracy problems.
Photo: Alamy
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on ministers to prevent post-Brexit border checks from causing disruption to Eurostar.
London’s mayor has warned of travel disruption for Eurostar passengers and said the government should not “wash its hands of it” over post-Brexit red tape.
The EU’s new checks will require international travelers to register for biometrics, such as facial or fingerprint scans, at their first port of entry.
HS1, the owner and operator of the railway line and stations between London and the Channel Tunnel, said earlier this week that the tests could lead to significant delays for Eurostar trains and restrictions on services and passenger numbers. Stated.
Mr Khan is now calling on ministers to support HS1 and Eurostar to fix the problem before it damages London’s retail and leisure industries, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
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Eurostar.
Photo: Alamy
Mr Khan said: “The success of Eurostar is a key part of London and the UK’s economic success, with St Pancras being the gateway for huge numbers of tourists and businesspeople across the country.
“As it stands, these new post-Brexit tests are likely to cause disruption at St Pancras Airport, resulting in reduced services and large queues for passengers at peak times. This is a direct result of Brexit. ‘It’s not an issue that ministers can wash their hands of now.’
“This sends a dire signal to both tourists and businesses around the world as London’s economy recovers rapidly following the pandemic.
“Ministers must now provide HS1 and Eurostar with all the support they need to urgently resolve these issues. Cutting services and prolonging delays are never an option.”
John Dickie, CEO of BusinessLDN, said: “London’s status as a global city depends on its ability to provide seamless international connectivity.
“Eurostar and HS1 provide vital links for business and leisure travellers, so the Government must urgently find a solution to prevent these new checks from causing significant delays in the run-up to Christmas. It won’t.
“Instead of overseas visitors to the UK being made to wait or being turned away at the door, a combination of red tape and inadequate resources should be rolled out with a red carpet.”
Eurostar has announced a 30% reduction in peak capacity in London due to the introduction of post-Brexit border checks in 2022.
In 2023, 18.6 million people used the service, an increase of 22% compared to the previous 12 months.