London station could finally get European trains after 17 years
Stratford International could finally welcome European trains under £20 million plans, with services possible around 2030.
A London railway station that has never operated regular international passenger services could finally welcome trains to mainland Europe under plans for a £20 million upgrade.
Stratford International opened to domestic passengers in 2009, but its international platforms have remained unused for their intended purpose. Now proposals backed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan could see cross-Channel trains stopping there around 2030.
Why has Stratford never had international trains?
Stratford International was built as part of the High Speed 1 railway network, with facilities designed to accommodate trains travelling between Britain and continental Europe.
However, Eurostar services have never made regular passenger stops at the station, leaving travellers to use St Pancras International instead.
The new proposals would bring the unused international facilities into operation, potentially allowing trains travelling to destinations such as Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam to stop in east London.
Stratford would function as an additional stop rather than replacing St Pancras as London's principal international terminal.
What would the £20 million upgrade involve?
The proposed investment would help prepare the station for international passengers, including security screening, passport controls and suitable waiting facilities.
The plans envisage capacity for approximately 250 to 300 international passengers at a time, with some services potentially stopping at Stratford on their way to or from St Pancras.
Virgin, which is developing plans to compete with Eurostar, has expressed interest in exploring Stratford as a possible future stop.
However, no operator has confirmed an international timetable, and the proposals remain dependent on funding and further agreements.
Could the Budget bring progress?
Discussions between City Hall and the Government have focused on a possible business-rate funding arrangement to support the improvements.
A decision could emerge around the Budget on 28 October, although no final Treasury approval has been confirmed.
If the project goes ahead, Stratford could provide more convenient European rail connections for millions of people in east London and surrounding areas.
For now, international passengers must continue using existing departure stations, but Stratford's long-unused facilities could finally have a practical purpose.
