TSSA Calls For Urgent Assistance Over Eurostar After Belgium Ban

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has issued an urgent SOS for Eurostar after Belgium halted trains from Britain. 

The Belgian Government said Eurostar trains will be stopped from entering the country for a minimum of 24 hours as of midnight (Sunday 20th December) in a bid to prevent the transmission of the new highly infectious Covid strain. 

There are fears this could be extended beyond Christmas after the Netherlands, on Sunday, issued a ban on flights from the UK which could run until the new year. 

Commenting, Manuel Cortes, said: “It’s abundantly clear that Eurostar needs urgent financial assistance as services to Brussels will now grind to a halt. 

“Our union has been warning for months that Eurostar is in a fight for its survival and the latest developments only confirm our worst fears. Frankly the Tory Government in London is guilty of twiddling its thumbs and doing little else to help this vital green strategic link with the continent. 

“Eurostar has been clear with Ministers that they were already facing a cliff edge. There’s not a moment to lose, Boris Johnson should make it clear right now that Eurostar will be given the help it needs to get through this Covid crisis. 

“Our members have been at the forefront of this pandemic, making sure trains run smoothly and safely for passengers. What they need now is assurances their jobs are safe, and Eurostar has a strong future. The travelling public will demand the same because Eurostar simply can’t be allowed to fail.”