Massive UK train station reveals plans to double passengers in £300million masterplan – including new routes to Europe
Today, London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have signed a letter of intent to work together to create more room and routes for travellers at the major station.
4
4
The aim of the combined project is for St Pancras International to become one of Europe's busiest international rail hubs and support the demand for travel international travel.
London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have agreed to collaborate through three phases.
And in April 2025, St. Pancras Highspeed unveiled plans in to invest £300million in infrastructure renewal over the next five years from April 2025 to March 2030, according to New Civil Engineer.
The first will review short term improvements within the current station layout.
This includes optimising the security and border crossing processes to deliver an uplift of 2,700 passengers per hour in the next three to four years.
Phase two will see the improvement of the international area and its connection to the main concourse.
This is expected to be complete by 2028.
The final phase will take place in the 2030s, which is set to further enhance capacity.
This might mean the change of the station layout with arrivals potentially being relocated upstairs.
The architectural firm, Hawkins\Brown, has been appointed to deliver a design for the expansion.
Huge new train station to open in world's most popular city
4
The architecture team have been tasked with creating a new ground floor layout for the international zone to more than double the station's current capacity.
Hawkins\Brown has said that a change in the station's design is necessary, but it will be achieved through remodelling rather than major structural changes.
Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed, commented: 'We're delighted to be working with Eurostar to expand capacity at St. Pancras International."
He continued to add: "With growing passenger demand for international train travel, it is important that St. Pancras International station is future-proofed and optimised to accommodate this.
'With a shared ambition and collaborative approach, we can ensure our iconic station is ready to support this demand, and we're looking forward to getting started on a new era of connectivity between London and Europe.'
Simon Lejeune, Chief Safety and Stations Officer at Eurostar, said that Eurostar already welcomes 45,000 customers a day.
He added that Eurostar hopes to expand its fleet from early 2030s and increase services to France, Belgium, the Netherlands.
Earlier this year, Eurostar also expressed its want to expand routes to Germany and Switzerland which will also form part of the project.
Here's more about Eurostar's plan to launch direct trains to two European countries with huge £1.7billion new fleet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
How the very best companies survive the toughest economic times
Questor is The Telegraph's stock-picking column, helping you decode the markets and offering insights on where to invest. Even the very best companies experience highly challenging periods. A solid balance sheet, a clear competitive advantage and a sound long-term growth strategy may define a high quality firm, but this does not shield a company from difficulties – such as a tough industry outlook or deteriorating economic conditions. However, in Questor's view, such companies are likely to come good in the long run. Ultimately, their sound finances mean they are well placed to overcome a temporarily weak operating environment, while their strong competitive position typically results in a growing bottom line. This standpoint is a key reason we have stuck with beverages company Fever-Tree, despite its hugely disappointing share price performance since being added to our Aim portfolio in October 2023. At their lowest ebb, the firm's shares traded 37pc down on our notional purchase price. Although they have subsequently risen, a paper loss of 3pc still represents a highly inadequate return – especially when the FTSE Aim All-Share index has risen by 15pc over the same period. Of course, Fever-Tree has had to contend with extremely difficult trading conditions in recent years. Elevated inflation meant that its costs surged higher, thereby squeezing profit margins. A rapid rate of price rises also put pressure on disposable incomes, which weighed on demand for discretionary products and prompted some consumers to switch to cheaper alternatives or reduce consumption. Now, though, sticky inflation is widely expected to give way to a sustained period of modest price rises over the medium term. Not only could this put less pressure on disposable incomes, it may encourage further monetary policy easing that boosts wage growth. The end result could be greater spending power among consumers that prompts higher demand for the firm's products. Fever-Tree is well placed to take advantage of improved operating conditions. Its recently released trading update confirmed it retained its dominant market position in both on-trade and off-trade in the UK. It also made market share gains across all of its key regions in the latest financial year. Alongside strong brand loyalty, this suggests it has an excellent competitive position that could provide scope for margin growth over the coming years. For the current year, the firm's trading update stated that it remains on track to post a low single digit rise in revenue and a 12pc earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) profit margin. This latter figure represents a 170 basis point decline versus the prior year, which means the company's bottom line is due to fall by around 18pc this year. However, it is then forecast to post a 19pc surge in earnings per share next year, as well offering scope for further profit growth over the coming years, amid an improving operating environment. Clearly, risks such as an ongoing global trade war could weigh on the company's financial performance. Although the firm's trading update suggested the impact of US tariffs is set to be largely mitigated over the long run – for example, by production being relocated to the US – increasingly protectionist policies may still dampen the wider consumer outlook and lead to deteriorating investor sentiment towards cyclical stocks in particular. Given the firm has a net cash position of around £84m, it appears to be in a strong position to overcome inherent volatility in the global economy – and with the company's strategic partnership with Molson Coors still in its relative infancy, the stock's risk/reward opportunity appears to be favourable on a long-term view. Fever-Tree's market valuation is likely to be considered a red flag by some investors. It currently trades on a forward price-to-earnings ratio, using the current year's prospective decline in earnings, of 40.8. This is significantly higher than the ratings currently applied to other global consumer goods companies that offer lower levels of risk as a result of their greater diversification, size and scale. However, in Questor's view, Fever-Tree still offers investment appeal. The company has an excellent competitive position that is likely to prove highly beneficial during an upcoming period of modest inflation and interest rate cuts. Its expansion into new geographies and product segments also means it is gradually becoming a more diverse business. With a net cash position, a sound strategy and upbeat growth prospects, it remains a high-quality company that is worth sticking with for the long term. Questor says: buy Ticker: FEVR Share price at close: £9.38
Scotsman
32 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Businesses' net zero plans to be put under the microscope
Michael Watson says the UK Government could make disclosure and implementation a legal requirement for large firms Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The government has opened a series of consultations relating to sustainable finance, including on the development of new Sustainability Reporting Standards (SRSs) in the UK, a separate regime to ensure the information reported in accordance with the new standards is verified by assurance providers, as well as on how to meet its manifesto commitment of imposing transition plan requirements on UK-registered financial institutions and listed companies. In its transition plan consultation (open until 17 September), the government said it is 'considering whether to redefine the scope of entities under any future transition plan requirement', adding that 'the focus will be on economically significant entities, including pension funds, where there is likely a significant investor and public interest'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SMEs, it said, are not envisaged to be in-scope of any new requirements, though it acknowledged that smaller companies could indirectly be impacted by new transition plan requirements where they are involved in a larger in-scope company's supply chain. In addition, an increasing number of investors and banks require or encourage the companies they intend to lend to or invest in, to have robust transition plans, and an examination of those transition plans are key component of their decision-making. Michael Watson, Partner and Head of Climate and Sustainability Advisory, Pinsent Masons Under one option, in-scope entities would face no legal obligation to develop and disclose a transition plan, but would instead be required to explain why they have not published such a plan or transition plan-related information in accordance with any new UK SRSs. A further option would impose a legal obligation to develop and disclose a transition plan as part of their annual reporting and, potentially, as a separate transition plan document. However, the obligations would not extend to dictating specific goals that entities would need to ensure those plans align with, and nor would they be subject to any legal duty to implement those plans. The government is also considering mandating transition plan implementation as well as the alignment of such plans with 'net zero'. It has acknowledged that this could add costs for businesses as well as bring new legal and compliance risks. It has pledged to 'carefully assess the impacts of any new requirements' against its own growth missions and the potential impact on the UK's global competitiveness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It said it wants to ensure new transition plan requirements 'generate robust and decision-useful information, for investors and other stakeholders' but are not 'overly burdensome for companies and financial institutions to meet'. Many businesses already develop and disclose their own climate-related transition plans, recognising the commercial advantages they can derive from doing so and the value those plans offer to investors and their ability to raise finance. There is also increasing recognition and legal opinion that good transition plans significantly reduce legal risk and protect corporates and boards from criticism and action from stakeholders because they clearly set out how businesses plan to meet their targets and, critically, the dependencies that impact their ability to do.
The Guardian
35 minutes ago
- The Guardian
UK government ‘closely watching' £120m legal claim against Vodafone
Ministers are closely watching a court case in which Vodafone is alleged to have 'unjustly enriched' itself at the expense of franchise operators, and have raised the prospect of a regulatory crackdown on the sector. The small business minister, Gareth Thomas, has said he will 'track very carefully' a £120m legal claim brought against Vodafone last year by a group of 62 of about 150 franchise operators. They allege that drastic cuts to commission rates on selling Vodafone products in the group's high street stores caused many of them to run up huge personal debts. They say they fear for their livelihoods or homes, and some have reported suicidal thoughts. Their court filing claims the company 'indiscriminately … operated to enrich Vodafone at the expense of its franchisees'. Thomas told MPs on Wednesday: 'There are without question some very serious allegations being levelled at Vodafone in this case. 'Until now there has not been sustained concern about the quality or effectiveness of the self-regulation of franchises in general. However, I recognise that this particular case has raised concerns across the House and I will track very carefully what happens in this case and the final outcome and conclusions that any court case might come to.' Thomas was speaking in parliament during an adjournment debate secured by the the former Conservative minister John Hayes. He told MPs: 'Franchising can be used as a method to exaggerate the power of the business at the heart of the franchise and to weaken the position of franchisees. My assertion is that is common and is particular in the case of Vodafone.' Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham, said: 'There are major corporates that treat their franchisees very badly, that sign them up on one set of terms – one rate card – and then change the goalposts. 'And then when people dissent and complain about that, they find that their franchise is withdrawn and they lose their investment when they have put a great deal into that corporate giant. I think this is a matter that, in the near future, is going to require some ministerial attention.' Talks to settle the franchisees' legal claim against Vodafone ended without resolution in May, leaving the case potentially heading for the high court. Vodafone was approached for comment. It has previously said: 'This is a complex commercial dispute between Vodafone UK and some franchise partners and as we have said from the beginning, we refute the claims.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The company has also apologised 'unreservedly to anyone whose experiences while operating their business has impacted [their health] in this way' , adding: 'Where issues have been raised, we have sought to rectify these and we believe we have treated our franchisees fairly.' Vodafone has just completed a deal to merge its UK operation with rival Three to create Britain's biggest mobile phone operator. Vodafone's chief executive, Margherita Della Valle, said in May that the merger would involve job cuts where the two businesses had a duplication of functions and roles, although overall it would create jobs as it embarked on an €11bn (£9.5bn) upgrade and expansion of its 5G network over the next decade.
