The Chancellor has approved plans for international trains to stop at Stratford in east London, backing a scheme proposed by London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan. The move could see cross-Channel services to and from France begin stopping at the station by 2030.
Business Rate Retention Zone Approved
John Healey endorsed the Mayor's proposal for a Business Rate Retention Zone to fund upgrades at Stratford International Station. The zone will allow the capital to retain more of the business rates raised in the city to finance the rail development.
Following the announcement, Lord Khan said the green light would open up "huge opportunities" for the city. He added: "After lobbying on the issue for many years, I'm delighted that the Government will help us to bring cross-channel rail services to Stratford International – making this station truly international for the first time."
Economic Impact and Costs
The Mayor has previously said that City Hall calculations estimated bringing international services to Stratford could generate an additional £1.3 billion in tourist spending for the UK. City Hall has estimated the cost of bringing the station and its mothballed platforms into use for international trains at £20 million.
Sir Richard Branson's Virgin is already exploring stopping trains at Stratford as it seeks to compete with Eurostar for cross-Channel services. Under the proposals, one in three trains to and from France may stop at Stratford International in the future.
Future Services and Operators
The aim is to have services from Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam arriving in east London. Operators are also considering other destinations in Germany and Switzerland.
The Chancellor's announcement follows months of talks between Lord Khan and Andy Burnham's Labour administration about the rail project. The money generated through the agreed zone is expected to address key obstacles to international services stopping at Stratford, including funding, station upgrades, and customs and border arrangements.
Stratford International, located close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, opened in 2009 and was originally built with the intention of handling cross-Channel Eurostar trains, an ambition that has yet to be realised. An east London halt has not happened as prospective operators faced having to shoulder the entire associated investment risk.
Eurostar has so far declined to have two stops in the capital, but Virgin is considering a rail stop in the east of the city under its proposals. The rail company will also explore whether its trains should stop at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent. Virgin has been given track access for new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, with the Office of Rail and Road granting approval for up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel Tunnel. The possible second stop is supported by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which operates the Westfield shopping complexes in east and west London.
