Political support for international train services at Stratford International station

"A group of four East London politicians are supporting a plan to introduce international rail services at Stratford International station. Despite its name and that two of the four platforms were built for Eurostar services, the station has never had an international train service stop there. Recently, Gemini Trains, one of the new rail companies aiming to break Eurostar's monopoly through the Channel Tunnel, said that if it gets approval to operate, then it plans to use the station as its London terminus."

"In the joint letter from Uma Kumaran MP, James Asser MP, Sir Stephen Timms MP and Unmesh Desai, they said that they "believe that Stratford could play a key role in the European rail networki, and in doing so, stimulate further positive regeneration - businesses and homes - in our part of London". They added that they are also in support of Gemini's aspirations to be granted space at the Temple Mills depot near Stratford to service its trains."

"All going to plan, Gemini Trains, which plans to operate under the Uber brand, could start offering services by 2030. That will be subject to a lot of regulatory and financial pieces falling into place, not least securing maintenance facilities for the new trains. The company also indicated that it plans to expand its services to additional European destinations later, with Paris and Brussels being just the beginning."

Four East London politicians support introducing international rail services at Stratford International, which despite having platforms built for Eurostar has never hosted an international stop. Gemini Trains, a new operator seeking to compete with Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel, plans to use Stratford as its London terminus if approved. The company aims to operate under the Uber brand and could begin services by 2030, conditional on regulatory approvals, financing, and securing maintenance facilities. The politicians support Gemini securing space at the Temple Mills depot. Gemini plans later expansion to additional European destinations, with Paris and Brussels as initial targets.

Read at ianVisits