Eurostar believes the UK can lead the next phase of Europe’s high-speed rail expansion, provided the infrastructure and regulation align behind an ambitious, long-term strategy.
The assertion is in the latest submission to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on Wednesday, 23rd July, regarding the future of Temple Mills International (TMI) depot in east London.
The ORR stated in June that the depot could only support either Eurostar’s full growth plans or those of a single new entrant, but not both. This latest submission wants the ORR to look beyond TMI and take a wider view of what international rail needs to thrive.
Eurostar contends that industrial investment and skilled jobs will be brought to the UK if London is established as a leading centre for high-speed train maintenance at a European level. It is a chance to make bold choices, and with the right government support, there is a real opportunity for the UK to take the lead in the next era of European sustainable transport. At the same time, it will strongly contribute to the country’s growth agenda.
Eurostar has led the growth of high-speed cross-Channel and continental rail services for over 30 years, and has plans to open new direct routes from London to Frankfurt and Geneva. Backed by a 2 billion investment programme, those plans include up to 50 new trains, expanded maintenance facilities, and upgraded station infrastructure in London, Paris, and Brussels.
Eurostar is planning a major investment in TMI, but it has limited capacity, which underlines the need for industry and government to work together to encourage private investment in alternative new depot facilities beyond TMI. This includes using other depots such as Southeastern and Hitachi’s Train Maintenance Centre at Ashford, freight facilities at Dollands Moor, Singlewell depot, Ripple Lane, HS1 chord and Fawkham Junction. There are also other land and sites in East London where new facilities could be built.
“Eurostar is on the side of solutions, and we believe there is an incredible opportunity to grow international rail as demand for sustainable travel increases. Our plans are financed, already underway, and designed to deliver for the long term, from introducing a brand-new fleet that will be maintained in the UK, to opening brand-new routes -we know what it takes to deliver growth. Temple Mills is an important foundation of that future. We want to be a leading centre for European high-speed maintenance, bringing skilled jobs and industrial investment. The regulator, UK Government, and private investors have a unique moment now to make bold decisions to unlock the huge potential of international rail and encourage more European links for tourism, trade and education.”
Gareth Williams, General Secretary and Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer at Eurostar