Stratford International rail stop plan nears completion

Plans to make Stratford International a stop for cross-Channel rail services are nearing completion, according to the Mayor of London. Sadiq Khan has submitted an application for a Business Rate Retention Zone in the Stratford area, a move intended to facilitate the development of a second major London terminus for international trains.

City Hall has been in discussions with the Government for several months regarding the ambition to make Stratford International a fully operational international station. The Mayor believes this development could provide a significant economic boost to east London. Data cited by the Mayor's office suggests that introducing international services to Stratford could generate an additional £1.3 billion in tourist spending for the United Kingdom.

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Overcoming Obstacles

The Mayor's office is reportedly working with the Government to address key challenges, including funding requirements, necessary station upgrades, and the establishment of customs and border control facilities. Previously, prospective train operators have been hesitant to proceed due to the substantial investment risk associated with such a venture. The Mayor's office has indicated a belief in the necessity of public sector intervention to mitigate these risks, given the potential wider economic benefits.

The Business Rate Retention Zone application is City Hall's proposed mechanism for supporting the delivery of essential infrastructure needed to advance the rail scheme and further development in east London. Officials from the Mayor's office are engaging with train operators, authorities in Paris, and commercial entities to secure support for the proposal.

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Operator Interest and Competition

Mayor Khan stated that the case for a Stratford International station is clear and compelling, noting the growing popularity of international rail travel. He expressed optimism that efforts to establish cross-Channel services from Stratford are close to fruition. The Government has also shown support for international trains stopping at Stratford in addition to St Pancras International.

Virgin Trains, under Sir Richard Branson, is considering the possibility of a stop in east London as part of its proposals for international services. The company has been granted track access by the Office of Rail and Road for new services connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, scheduled to commence in 2030. This approval allows for up to 20 daily return services through the Channel Tunnel between October 2030 and December 2040, operating on tracks managed by London St Pancras High Speed.

However, Eurostar has previously indicated it would not operate two stops within the capital. Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, has advocated for over 30 years for international rail services to include stops at Stratford and another London terminus, a campaign he began when he chaired the Newham planning committee in the late 1980s.