Stratford International eyed for new international train services
Rail Minister Lord Hendy backs plans for Virgin Trains to stop at the East London station.
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Stratford International station is being considered as a second London stop for international train services, with Rail Minister Lord Hendy lending his support to the proposal. Virgin Trains, which is developing new routes to continental Europe, is actively exploring the feasibility of incorporating the East London station into its network.
Lord Hendy stated that Stratford, already a significant transport interchange, has the potential to benefit from increased economic activity driven by international rail links. He indicated that the Department for Transport is engaging with industry partners to help realise this objective. The move has also been championed by Sir Stephen Timms, the Member of Parliament for East Ham, who has campaigned for international trains to serve Stratford for more than three decades.
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Virgin Trains secures track access
Hopes for international services calling at Stratford have been bolstered by the Office of Rail and Road's approval of track access for Virgin Trains. This permission, granted for the period between October 1 2030 and December 31 2040, allows the company to run up to 20 new daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Virgin Trains has also secured access to the Temple Mills depot in East London for train maintenance and storage.
A Virgin Trains spokeswoman confirmed that the company is exploring future expansion opportunities, including additional stops such as Stratford International. The company aims to challenge the long-standing monopoly held by Eurostar on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel since 1994. Virgin still requires consent to access the tunnel itself, which is operated by Eurotunnel.
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Sir Stephen Timms has highlighted the commercial advantages of an international stop in East London, noting the area's rapid growth. He has also pointed to the strain on existing facilities at St Pancras International. The proposal for a second London terminus for international trains has also received support from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which manages Westfield shopping centres in London.
Questions this report answers
+What is the latest development regarding international trains stopping at Stratford International?
Rail Minister Lord Hendy has publicly backed the idea of international train services calling at Stratford International station. Virgin Trains is also actively exploring this possibility for its new routes to continental Europe.
+Who has been campaigning for international trains to stop at Stratford?
Sir Stephen Timms, the MP for East Ham, has been advocating for international rail services to serve Stratford for over 30 years. He believes it presents a significant commercial opportunity for the growing East London area.
+When could new international train services start operating?
The Office of Rail and Road has approved track access for Virgin Trains for new services between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. These services are planned to commence from October 1 2030.
+What is Virgin Trains' ambition for cross-Channel routes?
Virgin Trains aims to rival Eurostar's long-standing monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. The company is exploring new routes and additional stops, including Stratford International, to bring new services to the cross-Channel rail market.
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