London Mayor Sadiq Khan has raised hopes that international rail services to the UK will stop at a second London station, with a plan almost "over the line".
City Hall has been in talks for months with the new Government about making Stratford International "truly international", the Mayor told The Standard.
He raised the prospect of a huge economic boost to east London from "the arrival of cross-Channel services" under a plan including a Business Rate Retention Zone (BRRZ) in the Stratford area to help push ahead with the landmark rail development.
Key obstacles and funding
The Standard understands that the Mayor is working with the Government to overcome key obstacles to international services stopping at Stratford, including funding, station upgrades, as well as customs and border arrangements.
An east London halt for international trains has so far not happened as prospective operators faced having to shoulder the entire associated investment risk. However, Lord Khan believes there is a case for the public sector to step in to lower these risks, given the possible wider economic benefits to east London and beyond.
City Hall, which has been in discussion with the Government on innovative funding mechanisms, has submitted an application for a BRRZ in the Stratford area. A BRRZ would support delivery of the infrastructure needed to unlock the next phase of development in east London, including the rail scheme. The Mayor's officials are meeting with train operators, authorities in Paris and commercial bodies to get backing for the plan.
Mayor's comments and economic impact
Speaking to The Standard, Lord Khan said: "The case for creating a Stratford International worthy of the name is clear and compelling."
He added: "The popularity of international rail continues to grow in London, which is why my team and I have been lobbying for cross-channel rail services from Stratford for many years – and I'm hoping that our efforts are close to paying off."
He explained further: "Over the last few months, we've been working closely with this new Government to make Stratford International truly 'international' for the first time and we're now within touching distance of getting our plans over the line."
Lord Khan said: "The data shows that bringing international services to Stratford would bring in an additional £1.3bn in tourist spending for the UK." He added: "Stratford has become one of Europe's largest and most successful regeneration projects, and I believe with the arrival of cross-Channel services, the future of East London will be even brighter still."
Operator interest and support
The Government has been pushing for international trains to stop at Stratford, as well as at St Pancras International. However, whether this happens depends on an operator deciding to run such services. Eurostar has so far declined to have two stops in the capital.
Sir Richard Branson's Virgin is considering the option of a rail halt in the east of the city under its proposals to run international services to the UK. The rail company will also explore whether its trains should stop at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent.
As it seeks to take on rival Eurostar, Virgin has been given track access for new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030. Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road has granted the approval for Sir Richard's firm, meaning it 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.
Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, 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 welfare minister first raised the prospect of a Stratford halt when he was chairman of Newham planning committee in the late 1980s.
The possible second stop is supported by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which operates the giant Westfield shopping complexes in east and west London.
