Sadiq Khan has urged ministers to prevent “chaos” for Eurostar passengers when the European Union launches biometric border checks later this year.
The mayor of London said the government should not “wash its hands” of issues around post-Brexit red tape, after warnings that the UK was not properly planning for the new EU biometric Entry/Exit System (EES).
High Speed 1, which runs UK rail services and operates the line between London and the Channel Tunnel, said preparations were “severely inadequate” and could lead to massive queues and the potential capping of passenger numbers.
HS1 told MPs last month that the decision not to enable online pre-registration would “put enormous pressure on infrastructure at St Pancras International”.
It said registering a passenger only once they arrived at the border would take at least an extra two minutes per person.
The new EES checks, which are expected to begin in October, will require travellers from countries outside the EU to register biometrics such as facial and fingerprint scans at their first point of entry.
Khan warned delays or cuts to services would harm London’s leisure and retail industries, particularly in the run-up to Christmas. He urged ministers to support HS1 and Eurostar in urgently resolving the issues.
The Labour mayor said: “The success of the Eurostar is a vital part of London’s and the UK’s economic success – with St Pancras a gateway for huge numbers of tourists and business people in the country.
“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. This is directly a result of Brexit, and it’s not an issue ministers can now wash their hands of.”
Khan, who is seeking a third term in May’s mayoral election, has been vocal in opposition to the government’s “extreme hard Brexit” and in pointing out the “damage” done to the capital.
A government spokesman said: “The new Entry/Exit System is an EU programme overseen by the European Commission. The UK government is working closely with the EU and member states to minimise any impact at our shared borders with Europe.
“The home secretary recently met with the French interior minister to discuss the introduction of the Entry/Exit system and we are in close contact with the travel industry and port authorities to ensure they are prepared to minimise the risk of delays.”
Press Association – Sophie Wingate