Chaos as French customs stage Brexit drill for Eurostar

Train services from Gare du Nord station in Paris to London were delayed along with enormous queues, as French customs staff staged a “Brexit-style” security checks.

Border officials demand a boost to their staff as to enable them to deal with more checks once the UK exits the EU.

Huge queues as French customs staff stage 'Brexit drill' for Eurostar at Gare du Nord in Paris https://t.co/C2stYgCi5i via @standardnews pic.twitter.com/Z4Z1EPVQxH

— 𝔻𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕕 𝕁𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤 (@MrDJones) March 6, 2019

Trains were delayed by almost two hours, one border guard said, “This will be what it is like after Brexit. Back to 1970s.”

Every passport scanner down. Thousands of people stuck at border 👀😡👀 Can’t even blame #Brexit for this one. #eurostar pic.twitter.com/N9zBTjLHyJ

— Wardy (Paul Ward) (@toonpaulward) March 6, 2019

Vincent Thomazo, of France’s UNSA customs union said, “We are making sure controls are very strict.”

The “delays and long queues” demonstrates French security and customs are not ready nor equipped to cope once Brexit happens.

An frustrated passenger said on Twitter:

Due SNCF being early got to #garedunord at 14.35. Still haven't reached ticket scanners. In theory train leaves at 16.04 – no chance. #Brexit #Eurostar

— Jane R (@ldknitter) March 6, 2019

Michaël Szadkowski, Le Monde journalist said, “Currently in a chaos in North station to take the Eurostar. Customs officers make a ‘strike of zeal’ to demonstrate the effects of Brexit.

“The result is that the security checks are reinforced with absurdity… Families have been waiting two hours.”

It appears the french have collapsed again. Work to Rule to highlight how bad brexit will be 2+ Hr delays at Gare du Nord #eurostar #CESM #cheapdeckchair pic.twitter.com/ouZFT7XIEj

— Tony (@TonyTagliatelle) March 6, 2019

A spokeswoman for Eurostar said, “Eurostar trains departing Paris today are subject to delays of up to 60 minutes.

“This is due to passport and security checks, carried out by French customs officers, taking longer than usual. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our passengers.”

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, president of the New York Times Company, wrote on Twitter, “Long lines at Gare du Nord for Eurostar passengers as French Doaune conduct a work to rule ‘in preparation of Brexit.

“Three passport controls, only two baggage scanners functioning. Trains severely delayed. A Doaune told me ‘this will be what it is like after Brexit’. Back to the 1970’s.”