No Eurostar to Amsterdam for almost a year

[itfcfan]

This thread, more than anything else, illustrates the problems with hard borders. No other international service in Western Europe would be subject to this kind of circus.

I absolutely agree. Looking at it objectively, it's crazy that the UK is the only western European country where you can't hop on a train without any red-tape and travel to cities in adjacent countries.

When the UK finally joins Schengen (however far off that might be) and security theatre for the channel tunnel is removed, the increase in train connectivity between UK and continental Europe will be dramatic (with equivalent reduction in level of air travel alongside it).

As you say, it would also end the chance of terminal renovation halting international train service for months. The trains would simply divert to another platform (or station) once red-tape wasn't an issue.

 

[paul1609]

I absolutely agree. Looking at it objectively, it's crazy that the UK is the only western European country where you can't hop on a train without any red-tape and travel to cities in adjacent countries.

When the UK finally joins Schengen (however far off that might be) and security theatre for the channel tunnel is removed, the increase in train connectivity between UK and continental Europe will be dramatic (with equivalent reduction in level of air travel alongside it).

As you say, it would also end the chance of terminal renovation halting international train service for months. The trains would simply divert to another platform (or station) once red-tape wasn't an issue.

If you take a walk along the Kent Coast or around Calais its pretty obvious why we still have to have hard borders unfortunately.

 

[itfcfan]

If you take a walk along the Kent Coast or around Calais its pretty obvious why we still have to have hard borders unfortunately.

I don't see why. Major European countries (Germany, France, Italy, etc) have higher irregular/regular migration figures than the UK. What makes the UK an outlier in Western Europe in needing a separate border to the Schengen zone?

 

[SynthD]

I don't see why. Major European countries (Germany, France, Italy, etc) have higher irregular/regular migration figures than the UK. What makes the UK an outlier in Western Europe in needing a separate border to the Schengen zone?

Political choice. Though, I don't know what I'd see in Kent. Napoleonic-era forts?

If the temporary fix is 40m longer for the Lille-like mid journey customs check, do you think passengers will grow to tolerate this? It would permit a lot more destinations, and intra-Schengen passengers.

 

[paul1609]

I don't see why. Major European countries (Germany, France, Italy, etc) have higher irregular/regular migration figures than the UK. What makes the UK an outlier in Western Europe in needing a separate border to the Schengen zone?

I would say population density. Ignoring the small countries Monaco, Luxembourg etc. England has the second highest population density in Europe after the Netherlands. Nett Immigration of 600 to 750k pa requires a new city the size of Sheffield or Bristol every year.

 

[nw1]

If you take a walk along the Kent Coast or around Calais its pretty obvious why we still have to have hard borders unfortunately.

You'd see the sea. Which is one reason why we have less need for them, perhaps, as there is a natural border there anyway!

(Sorry for the flippant point!)

 

[30907]

I would say population density. Ignoring the small countries Monaco, Luxembourg etc. England has the second highest population density in Europe after the Netherlands. Nett Immigration of 600 to 750k pa requires a new city the size of Sheffield or Bristol every year.

But net population growth is only 2/3 of that according to ONS.

 

[MotCO]

But net population growth is only 2/3 of that according to ONS.

People slipping under the radar perhaps?

I think England is the most densely populated country in Europe after Malta; if you count it as GB, then the density does reduce because of the empty swathes in
Scotland.

Source: I posted something similar probably 2-3years ago, but am not currently in a position to retrieve it.

Edit: See this post https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/house-prices-and-housebuilding.208161/#post-4733695 post #17

 

[takno]

People slipping under the radar perhaps?

I think England is the most densely populated country in Europe after Malta; if you count it as GB, then the density does reduce because of the empty swathes in
Scotland.

Source: I posted something similar probably 2-3years ago, but am not currently in a position to retrieve it.

Edit: See this post https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/house-prices-and-housebuilding.208161/#post-4733695 post #17

More people dying than being born I would imagine. No idea if they're doing that under radar or not.