British travellers using Eurostar services could face severe disruptions and queues lasting up to two hours when the European Union implements its new biometric border control system later this year, travel experts have warned.
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), scheduled for introduction in October 2024, will require non-EU citizens to provide fingerprints and facial scans when crossing external borders. The automated system aims to enhance security but threatens to create significant bottlenecks at busy terminals like London's St Pancras International.
Infrastructure Challenges at St Pancras
Eurostar's London terminal currently lacks the physical space and equipment needed to smoothly process the new biometric requirements. The station's layout, designed before Brexit considerations, may struggle to accommodate the additional time needed for each passenger's registration.
"The new system could more than double the current processing time per passenger," warned a travel industry expert. "Where border checks now take approximately 45 seconds, the EES requirements might extend this to two minutes or more."
Potential Impact on Services
The implementation could have several consequences for Eurostar operations:
- Reduced passenger capacity on services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
- Potential cancellation of some peak-time trains
- Extended check-in requirements forcing passengers to arrive much earlier
- Possible fare increases to compensate for reduced capacity
Wider Implications for UK-EU Travel
The EES represents another layer of complexity in post-Brexit travel arrangements between Britain and the European Union. While the system applies to all non-EU travellers, the high volume of UK citizens using Channel Tunnel services makes this a particularly significant issue.
The French government, responsible for border checks at St Pancras, faces the challenge of implementing the new system without causing travel chaos. Industry observers suggest that a phased introduction or temporary measures might be necessary to avoid complete gridlock at the London terminal.
Eurostar has acknowledged the potential challenges and is working with authorities to minimise disruption, but passengers are advised to prepare for significant changes to their travel experience from autumn 2024.
