Editing Eurostar (section)

==Future developments==
=== Eurostar expansion ===

Eurostar and Thalys merged in 2023, with the intention to double combined passenger numbers from 14.8 million to 30 million.<ref name="SNCF Thalys Rebrand"/> 
 
In an interview with Eurostar's former Chief Executive [[Nicolas Petrovic]] in the ''Financial Times'' in May 2012, an intention for cross-Channel Eurostar to serve ten new destinations was expressed, including Amsterdam, [[Frankfurt]], [[Cologne]], [[Lyon]], [[Marseille]] and [[Geneva]], along with a likely second hub to be created in Brussels.<ref name="odell-expansion">{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5349aa20-9ad4-11e1-94d7-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210201240/https://www.ft.com/content/5349aa20-9ad4-11e1-94d7-00144feabdc0#axzz1vMoegVJt |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Mark |last=Odell |work=Financial Times |location=London |date=13 May 2012 |format=paywall |title=Eurostar eyes expansion across Europe |access-date=20 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2012 |title=Eurostar to add new destinations |url=http://www.connexionfrance.com/Eurostar-new-destinations-Lyon-Marseille-view-article.html |website=connexionfrance.com |access-date=13 June 2012 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205111635/http://www.connexionfrance.com/Eurostar-new-destinations-Lyon-Marseille-view-article.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> London-Amsterdam services launched in 2018.

In March 2016, in an interview with Bloomberg, Eurostar's Chief Executive expressed interest in operating a direct train service between London and Bordeaux, but not before 2019. Journey time was said to be around 4.5{{nbsp}}hours using the new [[LGV Sud Europe Atlantique]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/16/eurostar-mulls-direct-trains-london-bordeaux-wine|title=Wine line: Eurostar mulls direct trains to Bordeaux from London|first=Gwyn|last=Topham|date=16 March 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134617/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/16/eurostar-mulls-direct-trains-london-bordeaux-wine|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Operational difficulties with UK-Schengen trains ===
{{Quote box|align=right|width=25%|quote="We know we can go to most places in France physically, because our trains are compatible with French infrastructure, but then you've got to look at impact on fleet utilisation, you've got to have a station that's got the spare capacity to have a train stood for a number of hours, for all the security, screening, passport control passes. So it's not possible to go just anywhere. And you've got to be able to get the control authorities to agree that there's a big enough market for it to be worthwhile for them to set up there." |source=<small>Richard Brown, former Chief Executive of Eurostar.<ref>{{cite news
 |url=http://www.railpro.co.uk/issues/pdfs/feb08_interview.pdf
 |last=Silvester
 |first=Katie
 |location=Cambridge
 |title=Interview with Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar
 |work=Rail Professional
 |date=February 2008
 |access-date=31 December 2008
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090304040145/http://www.railpro.co.uk/issues/pdfs/feb08_interview.pdf
 |archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref></small>}}
[[File:Eurostars 373 210 and 373 205 Brussels-South, June 2014.JPG|thumb|right|Eurostar ''e300'' trains, in their former livery at [[Brussels Midi|Brussels Midi/Zuid/South]]]]

The e320 trains allow Eurostar the possibility of London to Germany services in the future, but implementing such new services is complex. The UK is neither part of the [[Schengen Agreement]],<ref name="Schengen" /> which allows unrestricted movement across borders of member countries, nor a member of the EU. This means that travellers between the UK and EU must pass through full border identification, visa and customs controls for their departure and arrival countries, while travellers between stations within the Schengen area do not. The logistics of providing space and time for these controls while conforming to the requirements of free travel within the Schengen area makes implementing new services operationally complex.<ref>{{cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=24 January 2023 |title=Eurostar trains forced to run with empty seats due to Brexit passport rules |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/24/eurostar-trains-empty-seats-brexit-passport-rules-london-paris-brussels |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=The Guardian |location= London |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240527004147/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jan/24/eurostar-trains-empty-seats-brexit-passport-rules-london-paris-brussels |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2024 |title=Possible restrictions on Eurostar services due to future post-Brexit passport controls |url= https://www.belganewsagency.eu/possible-restrictions-on-eurostar-services-due-to-future-post-brexit-passport-controls |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240228141023/https://www.belganewsagency.eu/possible-restrictions-on-eurostar-services-due-to-future-post-brexit-passport-controls |archive-date=28 February 2024 |access-date=28 February 2024 |website= Belga News Agency |location= Brussels }}</ref> The "[[Juxtaposed controls#Lille loophole|Lille loophole]]" solution requires Eurostar customers travelling from Brussels to Lille to be segregated and guarded from other passengers for their journey. Similarly, when the Amsterdam to London route began, it was direct in only one direction: passengers had to disembark in Brussels to go through the [[juxtaposed controls]]. The direct connection was subject to talks between the UK and Dutch governments, and juxtaposed controls buildings were constructed on platforms at [[Amsterdam Centraal station|Amsterdam Centraal]] and [[Rotterdam Centraal station|Rotterdam Centraal]], opening on 26 October 2020.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="EurostarNL2020">{{cite press release |date=4 February 2020 |title=Eurostar transforms link between London and Amsterdam with services now direct both to and from the Netherlands |url= https://mediacentre.eurostar.com/mc_view?language=uk-en&article_Id=ka33z0000008fVpAAI |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200328084201/https://mediacentre.eurostar.com/mc_view?language=uk-en&article_Id=ka33z0000008fVpAAI |archive-date=28 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=Eurostar}}</ref> These were both closed on 15 June 2024 and are planned to remain closed until 9 February 2025 due to major track works at Amsterdam Centraal. Eurostar stated direct Rotterdam to London services could not be maintained due to the much smaller customs facility at Rotterdam, leaving around 760 of the 902 seats on each train empty.<ref name="g902">{{cite news |date=14 April 2022 |title=Amsterdam to London Eurostar services to be suspended for six months |url= https://www.railvolution.net/news/amsterdam-to-london-eurostar-services-to-be-suspended-for-six-months |access-date=2 July 2024 |website=Railvolution}}</ref>

The difficulties that Eurostar faces in expanding its services between the UK and the EU would also be faced by any potential competitors to Eurostar. Trains must use platforms that are physically isolated,<ref name="highspeedwho" /> a constraint which other intra-EU operators do not face. In addition, the British authorities are required to make security and passport checks on passengers before they board the train,<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/travel_documents/passports_visas.jsp
|title= Passports & Visas |publisher= Eurostar |access-date=15 May 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080521081418/http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/travel_documents/passports_visas.jsp |archive-date=21 May 2008}}</ref> which might deter domestic passengers. Compounding the difficulties in providing a similar service are the Channel Tunnel safety rules, the major ones being the "half-train rule" and the "length rule". The "half-train rule" stipulated that passenger trains had to be able to split in an emergency.<ref name="eurotunnrules" /> Class 373 trains were designed as two half-sets, which when coupled form a complete train, enabling them to be split easily in the event of an emergency while in the tunnel, with the unaffected set able to be driven out. The half-train rule was finally abolished in May 2010. However, the "length rule", which states that passenger trains must be at least {{cvt|375|m}} long with a through corridor (to match the distance between the safety doors in the tunnel), was retained, preventing any potential operators from applying to run services with existing fleets, as the majority of both TGV and ICE trains are only {{cvt|200|m}} long.<ref name="channeltunneligc.co.uk">{{cite web |url= http://www.channeltunneligc.co.uk/spip.php?action=acceder_document&arg=152&cle=afc9f895b3a111e715b8cca09821c197&file=pdf%2F100331_-_D15012_Parent-consultees_cons_conclusions.pdf |title= Unified Safety Rules Consultation conclusions |date=31 March 2010 |publisher= Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200805085613/https://www.channeltunneligc.co.uk/spip.php?action=acceder_document&arg=152&cle=afc9f895b3a111e715b8cca09821c197&file=pdf%2F100331_-_D15012_Parent-consultees_cons_conclusions.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2020 }}</ref>

===Competition===
{{Further|High Speed 1#Future operations}}

[[File:ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|DB ICE 3 service, similar to which was displayed in London]]

Following the liberalisation of international rail travel by [[European Union]] directives in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mordiglia.it/convegno040306/Mordiglia%20_eng.pdf |title=Liberalization of railway transport: European directives on railway transport and Access to infrastructure |publisher=Enrico Mordiglia
 |access-date=11 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100202104945/http://www.mordiglia.it/convegno040306/Mordiglia%20_eng.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-agrees-liberalise-rail-2010/article-164880 |title= EU agrees to liberalise rail by 2010 |work= EurActiv.com |location= Brussels |date= 29 June 2007 |access-date= 11 May 2009 |archive-date= 11 December 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081211090136/http://euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-agrees-liberalise-rail-2010/article-164880 |url-status= dead }}</ref> various operators have announced proposals for competition with Eurostar.

[[Deutsche Bahn]] (DB) intended to run services between London to Frankfurt and Amsterdam (two of the biggest air travel markets in Europe), with trains 'splitting & joining' in Brussels. In July 2010, DB announced that it intended to make a test run with a high-speed ICE-3MF train through the Channel Tunnel in October 2010 in preparation for possible future operations.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/deutsche-bahn-to-run-ice3-to-britain-this-year.html |title= Deutsche Bahn to run ICE3 to Britain this year |work= Railway Gazette International |location= London |date= 29 July 2010 |access-date= 29 July 2010 |archive-date= 1 December 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201201082947/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/deutsche-bahn-to-run-ice3-to-britain-this-year.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> The trial ran on 19 October 2010 with a [[ICE 3#Class 406|Class 406]] ICE train specially liveried with a British "Union flag" decal. The train was then put on display for the press at London St Pancras International. However, this was not the class of train planned for the proposed service, instead proposing to use [[Siemens Velaro#Velaro D (DB Class 407)|Class 407]] ICE units, specially adapted for stronger Channel Tunnel safety standards.

DB scrapped the plan, mainly due to advance passport check requirements. DB had hoped that immigration checks could be done on board, but British authorities required immigration and security checks to be done at Lille-Europe station, taking at least 30{{nbsp}}minutes.<ref name="dowd-bbc-052015" />

In 2021, [[Renfe]], the national operator of Spain announced it was proposing competing London to Paris services.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/renfe-channel-tunnel-high-speed-service-london-paris-eurostar-b962795.html| title=Spain's state-owned train operator Renfe plans to launch high-speed London to Paris service| date=28 October 2021| work=Evening Standard| location=London| access-date=3 October 2023| archive-date=17 October 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017123214/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/renfe-channel-tunnel-high-speed-service-london-paris-eurostar-b962795.html| url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, [[Getlink]], the owner of the [[Channel Tunnel]] had reportedly considered purchasing trains suitable for competing services, leasing them to rival operations,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/rivals-to-eurostar-in-advanced-talks-264580/ | title=Eurostar could face rival high speed rail service as Getlink in talks with Spanish rail firm Renfe | date=27 March 2022 | work=Kent Online | access-date=3 October 2023 | archive-date=17 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017122104/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/rivals-to-eurostar-in-advanced-talks-264580/ | url-status=live }}</ref> while in 2023, [[Mobico Group]], the owner of [[National Express]] has also been reported to be considering cross-Channel services named 'Evolyn'.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.railtech.com/all/2023/08/02/channel-tunnel-hopefuls-mount-another-challenge-to-eurostar/|title=Channel Tunnel hopefuls mount another challenge to Eurostar|date=2 August 2023|work=Rail Tech|access-date=3 October 2023|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017121237/https://www.railtech.com/all/2023/08/02/channel-tunnel-hopefuls-mount-another-challenge-to-eurostar/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.railtech.com/rolling-stock/2022/03/25/how-getlink-wants-to-clear-a-hurdle-for-new-operators-to-run-trains-through-the-channel-tunnel/|title=How Getlink wants to clear a hurdle for new operators to run trains through the Channel Tunnel|date=25 March 2022|work=Rail Tech|access-date=3 October 2023|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017121613/https://www.railtech.com/rolling-stock/2022/03/25/how-getlink-wants-to-clear-a-hurdle-for-new-operators-to-run-trains-through-the-channel-tunnel/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Long term possibilities===
====Stratford International station====
[[File:British Rail Class 374 (eurostar e320).jpg|thumb|right|Eurostar service passing Stratford International]]

Eurostar trains do not currently call at {{stnlnk|Stratford International}}, which was intended to be a London stop for the regional Eurostars when the station was constructed.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1082863.ece |title= Ghost train station that cost £210m |work= The Times |location= London |access-date= 22 December 2007 |date= 21 April 2006 |last= Webster |first= Ben |archive-date= 3 December 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081203110129/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1082863.ece |url-status= dead }}</ref> This was to be reviewed following the 2012 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10154343.stm |title= Eurostar 'will not stop' at Stratford International |date= 25 May 2010 |work= BBC News |access-date= 25 May 2010 |archive-date= 30 January 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210130014042/https://www.bbc.com/news/10154343 |url-status= live }}</ref> However, in 2013, Eurostar claimed that its 'business would be hit' by stopping trains there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-urges-eurostar-to-start-using-olympic-park-station-8736582.html|title=Boris Johnson urges Eurostar to start using Olympic Park station|date=29 July 2013|website=Evening Standard|access-date=14 August 2016|archive-date=4 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204234633/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-urges-eurostar-to-start-using-olympic-park-station-8736582.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Regional Eurostar====
{{Main |Regional Eurostar}}

Although the original plan for Regional Eurostar services to destinations north of London was abandoned,<ref name="regionfail" /> the significantly improved journey times available since the opening of [[High Speed 1]] — which is physically connected to both the [[East Coast Main Line]] and the [[North London Line]] (for the [[West Coast Main Line]]) at [[St Pancras railway station|London St Pancras International]] – and the increased maximum speeds on the West Coast Main Line since the 2000s may make potential Regional Eurostar services more commercially viable. This would be even more likely if proposals are adopted for a new high-speed line from London to the north of Britain.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/press_release/press_archive_2007/Eurostar_welcomes_greengauge_21.jsp |date= 20 June 2007 |title= Eurostar welcomes greengauge 21's call for high speed 2 |publisher= Eurostar |access-date= 31 December 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101228150716/http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/press_release/press_archive_2007/Eurostar_welcomes_greengauge_21.jsp |archive-date= 28 December 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
Simon Montague, Eurostar's Director of Communications, commented that: "...International services to the regions are only likely once High Speed 2 is built."<ref name="yorkmonta">{{cite news |url= http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/letters-to-the-editor/Rail-investments-that-will-last.5248147.jp |last= Montague |first= Simon |format= Letter to the Editor |title=Rail investments that will last for 200 years |newspaper= Yorkshire Post |location= Leeds |date=8 May 2009 |access-date=14 May 2009 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210130014040/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/letters-to-the-editor/rail-investments-that-will-last.5248147.jp |url-status=live }}</ref> However, as of 2014 the current plans for [[High Speed 2]] do not allow for a direct rail link between that new line and High Speed 1, meaning passengers would still be required to change at [[London Euston]] and take some form of transportation to London St Pancras.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hs2-plans-revived-to-connect-london-terminus-of-high-speed-two-with-channel-tunnel-rail-link-10382994.html |title=HS2: Plans revived to connect London terminus of High Speed Two with Channel Tunnel Rail Link |website=The Independent |location= London |date=11 July 2015 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190703062903/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hs2-plans-revived-to-connect-london-terminus-of-high-speed-two-with-channel-tunnel-rail-link-10382994.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Key pieces of infrastructure still belong to LCR via its subsidiary London & Continental Stations and Property, such as the [[Manchester International Depot]], and Eurostar (UK) still owns several track access rights and the rights to paths on both the [[East Coast Main Line]] and the [[West Coast Main Line]].<ref name="orr">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/272.pdf
 |title=Train Access Rights necessary to operate additional passenger services on the East Coast Main Line
 |date=27 January 2006
|publisher=Office of the Rail Regulator
 |access-date=26 April 2009
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304040143/https://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/272.pdf
 |archive-date=4 March 2009
}}</ref><ref name="nr">{{cite web | url = http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/NR_EastCoastCapacity2005.pdf | title = Consultation on capacity study for East Coast Main Line | date = 19 December 2005 | publisher = Railways Archive | access-date = 26 April 2009 | archive-date = 4 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090304040145/http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/NR_EastCoastCapacity2005.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>
While no announcement has been made of plans to start Regional Eurostar services, it remains a possibility for the future. In the meantime, the closest equivalent to Regional Eurostar services are same-station connections with [[East Midlands Railway]] and [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]], changing at London St Pancras. The construction of a new concourse at the adjacent [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] improved interchange with London St Pancras and provided [[London North Eastern Railway]], [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Great Northern]], [[Hull Trains]] and [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]] services with easier connections to Eurostar.

====LGV Picardie====
{{Main |LGV Picardie}}

LGV Picardie is a proposed high-speed line between Paris and Calais via [[Amiens]]. By cutting off the corner of the LGV Nord at Lille, it would enable Eurostar trains to save 20{{nbsp}}minutes on the journey between Paris and Calais, bringing the London–Paris journey time under 2{{nbsp}}hours. In 2008 the French Government announced its future investment plans for new LGVs to be built up to 2020; LGV Picardie was not included but was listed as planned in the longer term.<ref>{{cite news
 |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//long-term-tgv-plans.html
 |title=Long-term TGV plans
 |location=London
 |work=Railway Gazette International
 |date=2 June 2008
|access-date=18 April 2009
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217085555/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/long-term-tgv-plans.html
 |archive-date=17 December 2009
}}</ref>