Until the summer of 2025, the Eurostar terminal at Brussels Midi station will be undergoing restoration and expansion works. The terminal effectively acts as the border between the United Kingdom and Belgium, therefore also marking the border of the Schengen free travel area. The works will be carried out by the Belgian rail operator SNCB, who so far hasn’t shared the total cost of the project.
With over 2,2 million passengers a year taking the Brussels-London connection, the works will assure a more comfortable and fluid travel experience for anyone travelling between the two cities. At this moment, not much has been offered for those waiting for their Eurostar connection. A duty-free store was added some years ago and only around 300 seats are available for travellers.
According to Belgian outlet L’Echo, The project not plans on adding 300 extra seats, sanitary facilities, and lighting will be improved as well. Moreover, travellers will have access to several catering services, which will add 200m2 to the Eurostar terminal and which will allow everyone to wait for their train with a well-filled stomach.
Other than these comfort-centred additions, the Channel Terminal will also be equipped with the new post-Brexit EU Entry/Exit System. Through an automated facial recognition system, all passengers from third countries will be checked and registered when travelling to and from the European Union. Moreover, the system will be registering refusals to entry. Even though it is not possible to judge the new EES just yet, there have been rumours predicting it will be adding hour-long queues for travellers.
The same equipment should be added to London St. Pancras train station in the near future, even though some concerns have risen as to whether or not that station will be able to adequately handle the system, amongst others due to lack of space.
