Six-Hour Dover Queues Show EU Biometric Checks Could Paralyse Summer Getaway
Government Nationalises Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express
Last-Minute Talks Seek to Halt London Underground Strikes Threatening Capital’s Commute
Latest News
Heathrow Warns Travellers as Piccadilly Line Shuts for Engineering Works
No Piccadilly line services are calling at Heathrow between 28–31 May because of planned engineering work. Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth line and replacement buses are running, but passengers are urged to allow extra time as demand surges over the bank-holiday weekend. The closure forms part of a long-term upgrade to boost capacity on the Tube’s airport branch.
Six-hour Dover queues signal summer test for EU biometric border checks on UK routes
After six-hour queues forced French border police to suspend biometric checks at Dover, officials confirmed the UK has contingency staffing deals with France but no permanent fix. The same EES system will be imposed at Eurotunnel and Eurostar this summer, threatening business-critical journeys. Companies should pad schedules and prepare staff for ETIAS applications from late 2026.
Government takes Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express into public ownership ahead of Great British Railways launch
At 01:00 on 31 May the Department for Transport’s in-house operator took over Govia Thameslink Railway, including the business-critical Gatwick Express airport link. Public control is expected to focus on punctuality and integrated customer service ahead of the Great British Railways overhaul, with knock-on effects for corporate rail contracts and traveller duty-of-care.