Yahoo News France is testing border checks that would happen under no-deal Brexit - and it's causing huge delays
Eurostar passengers and lorries have faced delay as French officials tested border checks that could be put in place in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
According to reports, Eurostar passengers faced queues of up to two hours while lorries were stuck in long traffic jams amid the tightened checks.
Unions have voiced concerns over the predicted increase in their workload post-Brexit, with customs officials saying measures put in place so far will not be enough to deal with the aftermath of a no-deal Brexit, including having to check every vehicle travelling to or from the UK.
French Customs on day 2 instigating what I think are 3rd Country “reinforced” checks ahead of No Deal Brexit on all passengers at Eurostar terminal, (Calais too on freight) douane asking everyone (incl EU/UK) after bag search why in France, & for how long = lengthy queues/delays pic.twitter.com/RrrownV21R
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) March 7, 2019
… so the interesting thing – the French customs “extended controls” involved manually checking every passport and asking every passenger 2 or 3 questions AFTER we had passed first stage French and then British passport control and bag scan… so controls not so juxtaposed pic.twitter.com/f7o8PSZDqn
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) March 7, 2019
Their work-to-rule action in protest started on Monday in Calais and moved to Eurostar’s terminal in Gare du Nord – sparking delays for both lorry drivers using Eurotunnel as well as Eurostar passengers.
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Sky News’ political editor Faisal Islam tweeted pictures from the Eurostar terminal, saying French Customs were carrying out what appeared to be “3rd Country ‘reinforced’ checks ahead of No Deal Brexit” causing “lengthy queues/delays” that could last for days.
Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, international president of The New York Times Company, tweeted after getting caught up by the delays.
He tweeted: “Three passport controls, only two baggage scanners functioning. Trains severely delayed. A Douanier told me, ‘this will be what it is like after Brexit’. Back to 1970s.”
Long lines at Garé du Nord for Eurostar passengers as French Doaune conduct a work to rule “in preperation of Brexit”. 3 p’port controls, only 2 baggage scanners functioning. Trains severly delayed. A Douanier told me, “this will be what it is like after Brexit”. Back to 1970’s.
— S Dunbar-Johnson (@SDunbarJ) March 6, 2019
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that tailbacks at the Calais could be putting the lives and livelihoods of lorry drivers at risk.
Chief executive Richard Burnett said: “Since Brexit discussions began, we have been voicing our concerns that the number of customs agents currently employed will be insufficient to tackle the new procedures.
“The French union officials’ claim that the action is aimed at ‘showing what will happen after Brexit’ is totally unacceptable.
“Many of our members caught up in the queues are bearing the brunt of this action.
“They will be stuck with no facilities and will inevitably suffer financial losses as a result of delayed deliveries – particularly those carrying perishable goods.”
