Sadiq Khan has said he is working with the Government on plans for international trains to stop at a second major London station. The Mayor’s intervention raises hopes of services to and from France and other European countries halting at Stratford International in the east of the capital.
Writing on X, Mr Khan said: “Stratford is one of Europe’s great regeneration success stories. It’s ready for its next chapter - European rail links.”
Cross-Channel trains from East London
Mr Khan, who strongly opposes a third runway at Heathrow, added: “I’m proud to say I’m working with the government to deliver new cross-Channel trains from East London. The benefits would be felt far beyond our city.”
Rail minister Lord Hendy recently told The Standard that the Government was pushing for international trains to stop at Stratford, as well as at St Pancras International. “Stratford is already a major transport interchange with huge potential to deliver further growth in the local area,” said the peer, a former Transport Commissioner for London.
“We believe there are opportunities to support this growth through international services stopping at the station, and we are proactively engaging with all industry partners to try to make this happen.”
Political and industry backing
The growing momentum behind the move has won the backing of Stratford and Bow Labour MP Uma Kumaran. She said: “Stratford to Paris? Yes please. I’m supporting Sadiq’s calls to turn Stratford International into a truly international station. Jobs, opportunity, growth - day trip to Paris? all of it is possible from East London!”
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin is already exploring the option of a rail halt in the east of the city after getting a step closer to running international services to the UK. The rail firm will also examine whether its trains should stop at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent.
Virgin’s cross-Channel plans
Virgin has been given track access for new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, in a significant step forward for its bid to rival Eurostar. Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road has granted the approval, meaning the company will be able to run up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel Tunnel. The agreement covers the period between October 1 2030 and December 31 2040 and relates to tracks owned and run by London St Pancras High Speed.
East Ham MP Sir Stephen Timms has been campaigning for more than 30 years for international rail services to the capital to stop at both Stratford and another London terminus, which previously was Waterloo. The social security minister first raised the prospect of international trains stopping at Stratford when he was chairman of Newham planning committee in the late 1980s. The possible second stop is also supported by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which operates the giant Westfield shopping complexes in east and west London.
