Latest news with #RichardThorp
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.
Euronews
04-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Why is Eurostar allowing passengers to board 30 minutes earlier?
Cross-Channel train service Eurostar is allowing passengers to board trains earlier in an attempt to reduce overcrowding at London's St Pancras station. Travellers can now take their seats 30 minutes prior to departure, instead of waiting in the departure lounge. The move is part of a three-stage plan to increase capacity at the station amid predictions that demand for international rail travel is set to triple. It also comes as part of the transport hub's preparations for the launch of the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), due to come into force in October this year. Eurostar services are more popular than ever As demand grows for international rail travel, St Pancras station has been feeling the pressure. So far this year, Eurostar has already recorded two of its busiest ever weeks, reaching 136,000 passengers. The operator says passenger numbers from St Pancras are up 4.23 per cent year-on-year - which works out as an additional 101,000 travellers between January and June. While it's a success for the rail company, it has resulted in overcrowding at St Pancras station. The historic building has limited space, resulting in long queues for check-in, security and border checks. The departure lounge is often so crowded that there is often only standing room available. The transport hub and Eurostar say the move to allow passengers earlier boarding will ease the queues. International rail travel from St Pancras projected to triple Earlier boarding is part of a phased plan to double passenger capacity and 'future proof' St Pancras as international rail travel soars in popularity. Both the transport hub and operator Eurostar say they want to offer a service that competes with the high standards of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The aim is to boost international passenger traffic at St Pancras from 1,800 people an hour last year to up to 5,000 an hour over the next few years. 'St Pancras and Eurostar at the highest level are absolutely committed to creating space at St Pancras that is absolutely amazing for the travelling public,' Richard Thorp, chief operating officer of London St Pancras High Speed, told UK newspaper The Standard. Demand for international rail travel is projected to triple at St Pancras by 2040, from 11 million to 35 million passengers per year. 'We are very conscious of what the competition offers. We need to outperform that and promote what is great about the city centre to city centre transport experience – the 'café to café' journey experience,' Thorp added. Eurostar prepares for the EU's EES Border checks between the UK and the EU that came in as a result of Brexit have already caused delays. There are concerns these will be exacerbated by the EU's EES - an electronic system which will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control. It requires new technology and scanning systems to be implemented at the EU and Schengen Zone borders. At St Pancras, as well as doubling the number of border staff, Eurostar will also double the number of manual booths. There isn't space for all of the new EES kiosks, up to 49 from 24, in their usual location, so they'll be installed at various other places around the station, currently used by both domestic rail operators and the HS1 service, a high-speed railway linking London with the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar has also assured passengers that there will be 'specially-trained staff available at all times' at the new booths. The EES will be followed by the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in late 2026. This will require British and other non-EU passengers to pre-register more details and pay €7 before crossing the Channel, including on the Eurostar.
