News

Eurostar to take on UK short-haul airlines - 30 Apr 2007

(30 April 2007)

Eurostar will start a 5-month UK roadshow tomorrow to showcase its new high-speed rail link, High Speed 1, and the facilities at its new home at St Pancras International.

The company hopes the 50-city UK showcase, which will include meetings with politicians and tourism chiefs, will help it compete with short-haul airlines operating out of regional airports.

Eurostar will commence services from St Pancras International station in London on November 14, at which point it will cease to operate from Waterloo International.

The company claims its new link between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel will reduce journey times to mainland Europe by 23-25 minutes, with its trains travelling at speeds of up to 186 mph.

November will also see the company add a new intermediate station at Ebbsfleet in Kent to complement the existing station at Ashford International.

Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown said the new link and stations would “unlock the power of Eurostar for people living in the regions,” allowing them to book travel to mainland Europe from around 60 UK stations.

“Attractive fares, better connections with domestic rail services and faster journey times to Paris and Brussels will provide a genuine alternative to short-haul air,” said Brown.

By Karl Cushing