London St. Pancras Highspeed, the British high-speed rail infrastructure operator, and Eurotunnel, operator of the Channel Tunnel, have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at connecting London and continental European destinations with high-speed trains.
A crucial element of the project involves increasing the capacity of St Pancras International station, also operated by London St. Pancras Highspeed, to enable it to accomodate up to 5,000 passengers per hour, nearly three times the current 1,800.
With this cooperation agreement, London St. Pancras Highspeed and Eurotunnel commit to “promoting the creation of new direct rail links between London and European metropolises,” the two companies stated in a press release.
They are already working with European infrastructure managers to advance low-carbon transport to new destinations in Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Currently, only Eurostar transports passengers at high speed through the Channel Tunnel to London, connecting the British capital to Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris.
Eurostar is also considering new connections, while other operators have also shown interest in using the Channel Tunnel, including Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, Evolyn, and Heurotrain.
