London St Pancras Highspeed has announced plans to reduce Eurostar check-in times to as little as 15 minutes, transforming the departure experience at the station. The company, which operates the station and the line connecting to the Channel Tunnel, aims to invest up to £100 million in a major revamp of the departure area.
The current queuing system, described by Adrian Quine of Gemini Trains as 'dingy' and 'crowded', will be overhauled. Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London St Pancras Highspeed, said the goal is to create a 'turn up and go' service, similar to London City Airport, where passengers can pass through security quickly. He hopes to complete the transformation within four years.
The changes will involve turning queue lines sideways into the empty Eurostar arrivals hall, allowing more passengers to pass through security at once. This should reduce waiting times and alleviate overcrowding in the departure lounge, which currently has limited seating.
The announcement comes as Virgin prepares to launch cross-Channel services from 2030, challenging Eurostar's monopoly. Virgin has secured access to the Temple Mills International rail depot for train maintenance, a key hurdle. Sir Richard Branson welcomed the regulatory decision, vowing to 'shake-up the cross-Channel route'.
