MPs push for Stratford International trains to Europe
MPs in east London have written to support a plan by Gemini to run Uber-branded trains from Stratford International to Europe.
The proposal would see trains from the continent stopping at Stratford International which despite its name has never seen Eurostar services since opening back in 2009.
The company are also hoping to have trains call at Ebbsfleet where Eurostar have ceased calling.
Gemini are one of a number of operators hoping to start services along HS1 in addition to Eurostar, with others including Italian operator FS Group and Spanish group Evolyn.
Temple Mill depot access
In recent months the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) agreed that Eurostar’s depot at Temple Mills should be opened to other operators to commence services.
However there’s only room for one more operator, so some will lose out.
As for the Stratford plan is it feasible? Gemini state they’re currently undertaking studies into the possibility so even if they were to be the winning group that gains access it’s not a done deal.
One issue is hundreds of passengers waiting to access trains and hundreds arriving. Stratford is a busy area at the best of times with Stratford International station separated from the main station by Westfield.
There is a DLR station metres away and new, higher capacity trains should finally enter service soon. Yet the area is also seeing thousands of homes in the area adding to capacity squeezes.
A bus station was once proposed to aid with international journeys and did see some limited usage before being closed. New towers are now almost complete on the site.
Stratford would certainly be a popular option for many in east and south east London if it happens. Firstly the DLR in 2009 and now the Elizabeth line have made it far quicker to reach.
Reopening Ebbsfleet would also appeal to many. Ebbsfleet major centre proposed around the station has gone nowhere for twenty years.
A long-standing issue that would be welcome is to improve walking links between Northfleet station and Ebbsfleet. Northfleet is pretty easy to reach from all three of the Dartford lines through south east London and is close to Ebbsfleet, as the crow flies.
Unfortunately no direct path has ever been built hampering what should be an easy interchange.
I personally do think that it should happen and to see many Eurostar trains to serve Stratford International, Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International. As Southeastern Highspeed trains already serve those stations since HS1 was built.
And with more destinations across Europe to be added by rail including Southern France, Monaco, Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Turin, Zurich and Copenhagen.
I have been to Stratford International and it’s a massive station with mainly Southeastern Highspeed trains serving the station and it’s mostly empty. Compare to Stratford station that gets more busier and with more development happening close to the station in Stratford.
And with the DLR, Elizabeth Line, London Underground Central Line and Jubilee Line, London Overground North London Line “Mildmay Line”, Greater Anglia and c2c all serving Stratford station. In fact Stratford station should be renamed as Stratford Interchange.