Millions of passengers could benefit from quicker, greener and
more convenient travel across Europe as the Transport Secretary
signs a landmark agreement to progress a new direct rail link to
Switzerland.
A Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signed today (9 May 2025) between the
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, and Federal Councillor,
Albert Rösti, will lay the groundwork for future commercial
services that could boost tourism to the UK, support jobs and businesses and
strengthen cross-border trade.
This landmark agreement, signed today at London St Pancras
Station, signifies the government's ambition to boost sustainable
transport links across Europe and unlock the significant
economic, social and environmental benefits a direct rail
connection brings.
The move will help formalise cooperation between the 2
governments, building on industry efforts, to address the
barriers to establishing direct rail services, in particular the
need to establish border controls and meet Channel Tunnel safety
rules.
It will also support the industry's existing plans to realise
long-term ambitions for enhanced rail connectivity between the
UK and central Europe.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:
This is an exciting and important milestone in our efforts to
strengthen international rail connections and promote greener
travel to Europe.
A direct rail link between the UK and Switzerland has the potential to
boost tourism, grow our economy and bring people closer together
– all while offering a greener option for passengers.
This is what our Plan for Change is about – breaking down
international barriers and making bold, long-term decisions to
better connect Britain and boost our economy.
Federal Councillor, Albert Rösti, said:
A direct rail connection between Switzerland and the United
Kingdom is an ambitious goal.
With today's memorandum of understanding, we are establishing the
basis to jointly examine concrete next steps. Such a connection
would send a strong signal for international public transport.
Following today's signing, a joint working group will be
established, bringing together government and industry experts
from both countries to examine how best to overcome the
commercial and technical barriers to launching a direct service.
This includes establishing Channel Tunnel safety requirements,
new security arrangements and facilitating conversations with
operators.
The new working group will hold its first meeting in the coming
months to begin developing a clear action plan addressing
operational, regulatory, policy and commercial requirements.
Robert Sinclair, CEO
of London St. Pancras Highspeed, said:
We strongly welcome the UK
and Swiss governments' active cooperation to create a sustainable
international rail border arrangement between the 2 countries.
This exciting announcement brings us one step closer to direct
high-speed services between London and Switzerland, building on
the preliminary work already undertaken to ensure that station
access and routes are in place to make this a reality.
London St. Pancras Highspeed is enabling the growth of
international high-speed rail services from London. As well
as our ongoing work to expand capacity at St. Pancras
International, we recently launched a new International Growth
Incentive Scheme, which supports the launch of new destinations
across Europe, including cities in Switzerland. We look forward
to continuing our discussions with the Swiss National
Railway, SBB, to help realise this fantastic
opportunity.
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO Eurostar, said:
We welcome steps to strengthen sustainable travel between the
UK and Switzerland. Eurostar
customers can now book their entire journey between London and
Geneva, Zurich, Basel or Lausanne via Paris. This is a first step
in a wider plan with our partners to grow connections in the
greenest way.
