Direct train to Europe

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Eurostar works extremely well with Pass Port checks on its traditional route London, Paris, Brussels with its established stops on route.  Where it will struggle is the extension of routes The UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Boarder Agency do do a very good job. 

The on board train Pass Port checking is more likely to come down to who finances it; I suspect France, Belgium and any other of European partners would expect the UK to pick up the tab, in turn the UK Government would expect the train operator to cover the cost.

I am certainly looking forward to the day I can do a London / Amsterdam through train.   

I too look forward to this especially if it stops at Rotterdam.  I look forward even more to the return service as it is the prospect of a missed connection at Brussels that has caused most adrenaline on these journeys over the years. A 75 min stop at Lille (longer than the time currently spent at Brussels for the change of train) does not seem to provide the answer to the return journey. 

Passport control is solvable.  It is the security that needs a solution. 

[Bmblbzzz]

Firstly we need to ask whether a train needs much higher security checks than a ferry, even if it is in a tunnel?

[grahame]

Firstly we need to ask whether a train needs much higher security checks than a ferry, even if it is in a tunnel?

Well - there have been trains, undergrounds and buses blown up ... interesting to go through a baggage Xray at Barcelona for the train to Toulouse a couple of weeks ago.     I don't have answers - I suppose that statistically iconic services are likely to be targeted, so "need" a higher level of security.

[Brucey]

I find it strange that foot passengers are often subjected to airport style security at ferry ports, yet there is no similar check for road vehicles.

Same for the Channel Tunnel, where Eurostar passengers are screened but Le Shuttle cars are not.

Makes a mockery of the whole security theatre really.

[LiskeardRich]

I find it strange that foot passengers are often subjected to airport style security at ferry ports, yet there is no similar check for road vehicles.

Same for the Channel Tunnel, where Eurostar passengers are screened but Le Shuttle cars are not.

Makes a mockery of the whole security theatre really.

Last time I came back in through Plymouth and every foot passenger got sniffed out by a police dog. For cars about every 10 were getting checked.
It was a ferry from Spain, which seem to be frequently making news for drugs busts.

[Brucey]

I find it strange that foot passengers are often subjected to airport style security at ferry ports, yet there is no similar check for road vehicles.

Same for the Channel Tunnel, where Eurostar passengers are screened but Le Shuttle cars are not.

Makes a mockery of the whole security theatre really.

Last time I came back in through Plymouth and every foot passenger got sniffed out by a police dog. For cars about every 10 were getting checked.
It was a ferry from Spain, which seem to be frequently making news for drugs busts.

That would be customs.  The pre-boarding security is the theatre I am referring to.

[devon_metro]

The high speed station in Madrid has security scanners for bags akin to airports, even if travelling within Spain.