Latest news with #LondonStPancrasHighspeed
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
New European train to connect two popular cities for the first time in 10 years – and there's even an onboard cinema
A NEW train connecting three major European cities will launch next year. Connecting Prague and Copenhagen via Berlin, the new train service will be established by Czech Railways (ČD), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Danish State Railways (DSB). 3 A new train connecting three major European cities will launch next year Credit: 3 The new service will connect Prague and Copenhagen via Berlin Credit: The new route has been announced following the completion of the Berlin to And it will be the first direct service between Prague and Copenhagen to operate in 10 years. The service is likely to run twice a day, all year round with trains departing from During the summer season, there will also be an additional service at 4:30pm. Read more on travel inspo The journey will take seven hours between Berlin and However, these times are expected to be further reduced when the Fehmarn Belt Undersea Tunnel between Denmark and According to Travel Mole, other stops will include Odense in Denmark , Hamburg and Dresden in Germany as well as Ústí nad Labem in the The trains will be ČD's ComfortJet trains which can seat up to 555 people - 99 of which are in first-class - and travels up to 230km per hour. Most read in News Travel On the train itself, passengers can explore a dining car and a children's cinema. In the dining car, there will be 18 seats and passengers will be able to buy hot or cold meals and other refreshments during the journey - including beer. Iconic steam train Tornado delights crowds as it powers through Cornwall on rail tour In addition, the train will boast window tech which will allow passengers to have better mobile signal. If travelling with a bike, there will be space for 12 bikes on board too as well as wheelchair lifts. There could also be a seasonal night-time connection service. Whilst there is already a train that runs between Hamburg and Copenhagen during the summer at night, from 2026 it will be extended to Prague via Berlin and The three railway carriers aim to start selling tickets six months before the train journey actually commences. The new service is the first of 10 pilot projects that the European Commission is supporting to promote cross-border rail connections. Other projects include a new direct connection between Munich, Huge UK train station to get major makeover LONDON St Pancras station is set to double its capacity to 5,000 passengers per hour with a £60million investment. 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. 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. 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. There is also a Plus, the 3 The journey will take seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen or 11 hours between the Danish capital and Prague Credit:
ME Construction
09-07-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed are collaborating to double St. Pancras International's capacity
Infrastructure Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed are collaborating to double St. Pancras International's capacity By The project will undergo three phases of improvements, phase one optimises security and border crossing processes, phase two improves the international area, and phase three considers further capacity enhancements Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed (formerly HS1) are collaborating on plans to double station capacity at St. Pancras International. A study commissioned by London St Pancras Highspeed predicts that traffic is expected to triple by 2040, increasing from 11m to 35m passengers annually. In response, Eurostar recently announced plans to expand its destinations from London to include Geneva and Frankfurt. Other operators are also looking to enter the cross-channel rail market in the UK. London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have signed a letter of intent, signifying their shared ambition to take significant steps to expand capacity. Originally designed by William Henry Barlow and opened in 1868, the Grade I-listed station underwent a refurbishment in 2007. However, changing travel patterns, post-Brexit border checks, and growing international rail demand have led to capacity constraints. Architects Hawkins\Brown have been appointed to undertake and deliver a comprehensive design and feasibility study. The study aims to assess how the ground floor layout for the international zone of the station can be reconfigured to accommodate more passengers and enhance operational efficiency. Ramboll will provide various services, including structural engineering, building services engineering, sustainability consultancy, border control consultancy, and historic structures expertise. Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed said, 'We're delighted to be working with Eurostar to expand capacity at St. Pancras International. 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.' Hawkins\Brown Partner Andrew Davies said, 'We are very excited to be leading a hand-picked multi-disciplinary team to unlock this constrained site and enable millions of people to enjoy affordable, high-speed, and sustainable journeys to and from Europe. Our challenge is to create a welcoming new landmark for London, with minimal disruption to the travelling public in the process.' The team of sub-consultants also includes Momentum Transport Consultancy, Gardiner & Theobald, Montagu Evans, OFR and Wilmott Dixon. Together, the group will take the project through RIBA Stage 2, focusing on feasibility and concept design for a re-configured international departures area. The concept design and feasibility study is due to be finished towards the end of 2025, when formal design and construction plans are to be developed. Phase one is a review of short term improvements within the current footprint, including 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 is to improve the international area and its connection to the main concourse, helping the passenger flow. Completion of this is expected by 2028. Phase three is consideration of further capacity enhancements in the 2030s, potentially relocating the arrivals flow upstairs.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
London station announces major expansion plans
The number of passengers using the Eurostar out of London St Pancras to reach the continent looks set to double, after an ambitious new deal between two major partners was announced today. Eurostar and London St. Pancras Highspeed, formerly HS1, signed a 'letter of intent' which could see one of Europe's busiest international stations - St Pancras International - vastly increasing the amount of passengers it can take. Architects have already been asked to take on the task of 'reimagining' the historic London hub so that it can 'future-proof' as the demand for cross-border travel continues to grow. Eurostar plans to increase its current fleet in the next decade, offering services to five countries, including France , Belgium, the Netherlands , Germany and Switzerland. The announcement sees a three-stage plan put in place, with the focus being on the redesigning of the international arrivals and departures area of the station by 2028. There will be investment in border control and security too, with hourly passenger numbers set to increase from around 2,500 now to 5,000 by the time the second stage of the three-part plan concludes in four years' time. The station currently welcomes some 45,000 Eurostar passengers every day, with research commissioned by London St Pancras Highspeed earlier this year concluding that demand looks set to triple by 2040, increasing from 11 million to 35 million passengers per year. London St Pancras Highspeed owns and operates the UK's only international high-speed rail link and the stations along the route including St Pancras International, Stratford International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. Eurostar currently has a fleet of 51 high-speed trains, serving 28 destinations across Europe. British tourists can currently reach Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam on direct routes from London. New destinations Geneva and Frankfurt, coming in the early 2030s, are expected to be popular with business travellers as both cities are international finance centres. Andrew Davies, Partner & Transport & Infrastructure lead at architects Hawkins\Brown said the plans were trying to meet the need for 'affordable, high-speed, and sustainable journeys to and from Europe.' Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed said of the announcement: '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.' Last month, Eurostar announced plans to launch its direct train services from London to Switzerland and Germany. The train journey between London and Frankfurt is likely to take around five hours while the trip between London and Geneva is expected to take five hours and 20 minutes. Eurostar has said it expects to see strong demand from passengers travelling on both routes . The new routes will depend on a fleet of 50 new trains, expected to cost around £1.7bn (€2bn). The operator has yet to reveal which stops each route might include and whether passengers could get off along the way. CEO Gwendoline Cazenave says: 'We're seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide. 'Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future. 'Our new fleet will make new destinations for customers a reality - notably direct trains between London and Germany and between London and Switzerland for the first time. 'A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here.' The new trains would also allow Eurostar to boost the frequency of existing routes. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: 'I am pleased to welcome this exciting investment into Eurostar services, which is a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe and boosting our international rail connections.' In May, the UK signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with Switzerland where both countries committed to working together to launch a new direct train route between the two. In light of the new Eurostar announcement, Alexander adds: 'Last month, I signed a landmark agreement to deliver a direct rail link between London and Switzerland, paving the way for direct commercial services. 'Today's announcement by Eurostar shows that the government's plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in counties across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.' Eurostar carried 19.5 million passengers in 2024, a rise of 5 per cent on traveller numbers in 2023.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
One of UK's busiest stations set to double in capacity with major expansion plans
The number of passengers using the Eurostar out of London St Pancras to reach the continent looks set to double, after an ambitious new deal between two major partners was announced today. Eurostar and London St. Pancras Highspeed, formerly HS1, signed a 'letter of intent' which could see one of Europe's busiest international stations - St Pancras International - vastly increasing the amount of passengers it can take. Architects have already been asked to take on the task of 'reimagining' the historic London hub so that it can 'future-proof' as the demand for cross-border travel continues to grow. Eurostar plans to increase its current fleet in the next decade, offering services to five countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. The announcement sees a three-stage plan put in place, with the focus being on the redesigning of the international arrivals and departures area of the station by 2028. There will be investment in border control and security too, with hourly passenger numbers set to increase from around 2,500 now to 5,000 by the time the second stage of the three-part plan concludes in four years' time. The station currently welcomes some 45,000 Eurostar passengers every day, with research commissioned by London St Pancras Highspeed earlier this year concluding that demand looks set to triple by 2040, increasing from 11 million to 35 million passengers per year. London St Pancras Highspeed owns and operates the UK's only international high-speed rail link and the stations along the route including St Pancras International, Stratford International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. Eurostar currently has a fleet of 51 high-speed trains, serving 28 destinations across Europe. British tourists can currently reach Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam on direct routes from London. New destinations Geneva and Frankfurt, coming in the early 2030s, are expected to be popular with business travellers as both cities are international finance centres. Andrew Davies, Partner & Transport & Infrastructure lead at architects Hawkins\Brown said the plans were trying to meet the need for 'affordable, high-speed, and sustainable journeys to and from Europe.' Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed said of the announcement: '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.' Last month, Eurostar announced plans to launch its direct train services from London to Switzerland and Germany. The operator is planning to offer trains between London St Pancras and Frankfurt and Geneva from the early 2030s. The train journey between London and Frankfurt is likely to take around five hours while the trip between London and Geneva is expected to take five hours and 20 minutes. Eurostar has said it expects to see strong demand from passengers travelling on both routes. The new routes will depend on a fleet of 50 new trains, expected to cost around £1.7bn (€2bn). The operator has yet to reveal which stops each route might include and whether passengers could get off along the way. CEO Gwendoline Cazenave says: 'We're seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide. 'Despite the challenging economic climate, Eurostar is growing and has bold ambitions for the future. 'Our new fleet will make new destinations for customers a reality - notably direct trains between London and Germany and between London and Switzerland for the first time. 'A new golden age of international sustainable travel is here.' The new trains would also allow Eurostar to boost the frequency of existing routes. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: 'I am pleased to welcome this exciting investment into Eurostar services, which is a huge step in promoting green travel across Europe and boosting our international rail connections.' In May, the UK signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with Switzerland where both countries committed to working together to launch a new direct train route between the two. In light of the new Eurostar announcement, Alexander adds: 'Last month, I signed a landmark agreement to deliver a direct rail link between London and Switzerland, paving the way for direct commercial services. 'Today's announcement by Eurostar shows that the government's plan for change is rapidly strengthening the links between major cities in counties across Europe, creating more opportunities to travel, work, and socialise.' Eurostar carried 19.5 million passengers in 2024, a rise of 5 per cent on traveller numbers in 2023.
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
New competitors could slash Channel Tunnel rail fare by 30 per cent in the next 15 years
ADVERTISEMENT In the next 15 years, passengers on the Channel Tunnel rail line could triple, while fares could fall by almost a third. These are the findings of a new report conducted by consultancy Steer and commissioned by London St Pancras Highspeed, owner of the tracks and station serving the Channel Tunnel . The study forecasts a rise in passenger numbers from the current level of 11 million a year to 35 million by 2040. This anticipated growth, along with increased competition on the route, could drive fares down by up to 30 per cent, the analysis concludes. Plans are already in motion to double the international passenger capacity at St Pancras. At present, it supports up to 1,800 international passengers per hour, but the operator wants to see this increased to as many as 5,000 passengers an hour. To facilitate this, London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurotunnel are collaborating to shorten journey times, improve timetable coordination and introduce more frequent services. Modifications to the station itself include reconfiguring existing spaces and constructing new facilities to cope with more passengers. Related Czechia, Spain, France: Where are railway networks growing the fastest in Europe? A two-storey bar and more leg room: Inside France's new high-speed TGV trains Why can we expect Channel Tunnel fares to decrease? The 30 per cent fare reduction is projected to come as a result of increased competition and the growth in demand for rail travel through the Channel Tunnel. Currently, Eurostar is the sole operator on the Channel Tunnel route. As with any business existing in a monopoly, fares and pricing in the absence of competition become artificially inflated. With new operators vying to get their trains on the route, more options will stimulate competition, naturally driving down prices. There are also the economies of scale to consider. The expected growth in demand could mean the overall cost per passenger for operators will decrease. Fixed costs of train operation can be spread across a larger number of passengers, allowing companies to price their fares a little lower. St Pancras is planning a significant expansion to accommodate increased traveller numbers. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Adding to the potential for cheaper cross-channel rail connections are new financial incentives introduced by London St. Pancras Highspeed. Under the International Growth Incentive Scheme, new and existing operators on the HS1 line can unlock rebates of £1 (€1.17) per additional passenger carried, which will be paid into a joint fund for marketing and growing passenger demand. New services can attract discounts on the fees for using the line of up to 50 per cent in year one, 40 per cent in year two and 30 per cent in year three. The report leans heavily into the shift in consumer behaviour and the move towards more sustainable travel options . As the passenger base increases, operators will be able to offer lower fares and compete more fairly with budget airline options. Related Paris and Berlin linked: High-speed train service launches with fares from €59 The European tube: Inside the project to launch a continent-wide rail system Which train operators are bringing the competition to the Channel Tunnel The Channel Tunnel has been open to competitors since 2010, but the high costs of launching services and acquiring trains to run the route have deterred new operators from competing. ADVERTISEMENT Recent regulatory changes and the launch of incentives have seen a newfound interest in cross-channel rail services, and several operators have already thrown their hats in the ring to operate services. The Virgin Group has stated a desire to launch cross-channel train services by 2029. Discussions are already underway for a fleet of trains to operate the service. Competing for access is a Spanish-led consortium known as Evolyn. The company wants to launch high-speed services between London and Paris and has indicated it has reached an agreement with Alstom to purchase 12 high-speed trains for the service. Also in the mix is a start-up called Gemini Trains. led by Lord Tony Berkeley, a British aristocrat and former Eurotunnel engineer. Gemini has applied for an operator's license to service Paris, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Geneva with a fleet of 10 trains by 2029. ADVERTISEMENT Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane is the latest company to join the race to compete with Eurostar. Nelso Silva via Flickr Most recently, Italian state railway Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has been revealed to be studying cross-channel services and is working with Evolyn towards this goal. Other operators have previously expressed an interest in open access to the Channel Tunnel. Deutsche Bahn showcased a high-speed train at London's St Pancras in 2010, signaling its intent to connect London with destinations in Germany, such as Frankfurt and Cologne. However, it has not yet officially joined the bidding war for services. Where could you go via the Channel Tunnel, and when? While discussions are still at early stages, the proposed new competitors on Channel Tunnel services could open direct rail connections to many more European cities from London. Paris is a key destination and will provide direct competition with Eurostar. Ferrovie, Virgin Group and Evolyn have all mentioned Paris services in their communications to date. ADVERTISEMENT As well as this, Virgin wants to connect London with Amsterdam and Brussels, while Getlink wants to run services directly to German and Swiss cities, including Frankfurt, Cologne, Geneva, Zurich, and Milan. Most of the companies are targeting a launch between 2029-2030. However, Evolyn is aiming for a more ambitious 2026 start, though this timeline may prove optimistic given the challenges of entering the market. From finding space for storage and maintenance of trains to money for the purchase of the equipment itself, the barriers to entry remain high. Positive signals were received in early April when the UK's Office of Road and Rail concluded that Eurostar must provide access to new operators at Temple Mills depot, a significant hurdle for any new operator. It also said the fees on the HS1 line were too high at €30 per mile - the most expensive in Europe. ADVERTISEMENT Virgin Group declared this to be ' a green signal for competition ,' although Eurostar maintains Temple Mills is at capacity and can't support even one new operator. New trains in the Channel Tunnel will take time, but increased competition will undoubtedly serve to lower prices for the traveling public. In addition to lower fares, increased competition could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of travel as more passengers opt for this low-emission option. High-speed rail can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent compared to flying.
