Eurostar has launched a series of expansion works at Paris Gare du Nord which will improve the station’s Eurostar check-in area - delivering faster and easier access to the departure lounge for Eurostar travellers.

The continued success of High Speed 1, which opened on 14 November last year cutting Eurostar journey times, has seen a significant increase in the numbers of Eurostar travellers using the station. These works will improve the layout at check-in to make the flow of travellers smoother by introducing new check-in gates and increasing capacity through border controls. These changes, combined with an additional x-ray machine, will reduce queues at peak times.

The new check-in gates will accept bar-code ticketing which Eurostar will trial later this year.

The majority of the improvements will be carried out at night to minimise disruption to travellers and the project will be complete by the summer. Trains will continue to depart on time but as some short-term disruption may occur, Eurostar is asking travellers to allow 5-10 minutes more to check-in for their train, especially at peak times.

Simon Montague, Director of Communications, Eurostar, said, “With record numbers of travellers now using Eurostar these improvements are vital. Once they are completed, travelling with Eurostar will be even easier for millions of people each year.