Passengers were sent a note on Thursday morning which read: “We are expecting sizeable delays and congestion in Paris Gare du Nord today (March 7) due to French customs work to rule. We would recommend not travelling unless necessary.”
It comes after the additional security checks caused delays of up to two hours at Gare du Nord on Wednesday evening, Eurostar said.
Thousands of passengers found themselves stuck in huge queues at passport control where they faced extra questioning and bag checks.
https://twitter.com/lucyclare23/status/1103303516733489152
Passenger Lucy Hagger wrote on Twitter: “Feeling like a pawn in the Brexit game as I’m currently stuck at Gare du Nord while French Eurostar staff prove how terrible Brexit will be.”
Tony Santangelli added: “It appears the French have collapsed again. Work to rule to highlight how bad Brexit will be. 2+ hr delays at Gare du Nord.”
https://twitter.com/NigelAppleton/status/1103602262281252864
Others posted images of lengthy queues at security where passengers reported waiting for upwards of 90 minutes instead of the usual 15-20 minutes.
In a joint statement, the five French labour unions involved said the situation would alert the French authorities to the “state of disrepair of the customers administration”, Reuters reports.
Eurostar added: "Should you need to travel, please make sure you proceed to the ticket gates at the time indicated on your ticket, arriving later could risk you missing your train."
