Regional Eurostar - Future

Future

With the opening of High Speed 1 in November 2007, which has connections to both the East Coast Main Line and North London Line (for the West Coast Main Line) at St Pancras, there remains hope that the significantly improved journey times now available to potential Regional Eurostar services may make the service more viable. In addition, the maximum speed on the West Coast Main Line has been increased from 110 to 125 mph since the mid-2000s (though class 373's are at present limited by kinematic gauging constraints to 110 mph). Key pieces of infrastructure still belong to LCR via their subsidiary London & Continental Stations and Property (LCSP) such as the Manchester International Depot in Longsight.

While there has not been any official announcement of plans to start Regional Eurostar services, during recent enquiries into capacity on the East Coast Main Line it has been mentioned that Eurostar (UK) still owns several track access rights and the rights to paths on both the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines, hinting at the possibility of services at some point in the future. But for the time being, at least, the nearest the UK has to Regional Eurostar services is the same-station connections now available at St Pancras from midland cities along the Midland Main Line route, e.g., Leicester and Sheffield.

Fresh plans have been proposed with a new line between London and Glasgow via Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, called High Speed Two. The government's "command paper" published in March 2010 proposes either a rapid transit link between HS1 and HS2 terminals, or a direct connection. It was further announced on 10 January 2012 that HS2 will be built, with the route from London to Birmingham set out in detail. This detailed route includes a single track link between HS2 and HS1, partially in tunnels and partially over the existing North London Line, allowing for three trains per hour in both directions. This will allow trains from Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds to access HS1 and the continent.

Nonetheless, the issue of border and customs clearance remains an obstacle to onward services both sides of the Channel and it is likely that any new services would continue to require static checks on passengers prior to embarkation, and secure platforms. This indicates that any future services are likely to serve just a limited range of large cities.