- Direct rail links between UK and Germany
one step closer as Deutsche Bahn and Eurostar set
the foundation for first high-speed connection
- New routes between London, Cologne and Frankfurt planned
for early 2030s, set to boost tourism, create jobs and
help stimulate economic growth
- Forms part of the Government's wider plan to boost
international rail connectivity and deliver more travel options
for passengers
Millions of passengers could benefit from quicker
and more convenient travel across Europe as Eurostar and
Deutsche Bahn (DB) have confirmed joint plans for a direct
high-speed rail connection between Germany and London.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed this week, both
companies announced their intention to explore options to offer a
direct service between London and major German cities, such as
Cologne and Frankfurt.
The announcement follows the very first meeting
of a joint UK-Germany taskforce on in Berlin
25 November - bringing together transport experts from both
governments and industries to pave the way for
direct international rail and examine how to address
the barriers to services.
Set to start in the early 2030s, the routes would use
Eurostar's new double-decker Celestia fleet, which
offers 20% more capacity and make up to
50% in energy savings compared with its existing
fleet.
Offering direct city centre to city centre connection,
passengers could soon travel between
London and Cologne in around four hours and Frankfurt
in just over five hours, providing more choice, more comfort and
a sustainable alternative to flying.
It would also support the creation
of British jobs, kickstart the UK economy and
strengthen the vital trade links between the two
countries - providing better access to European
markets and easier investment opportunities in the
UK.
This comes as the German President Frank-Walter
Steinmeier finishes a three-day State Visit to the
UK, bolstering economic ties between the two close
countries. President Steinmeier joined the Prime Minister
and the Chancellor in hosting a roundtable with British and
German business leaders at No10 on Wednesday.
Prime Minister said:
"This brings us one step closer to a new rail link that will put
Britain at the heart of a better-connected Europe and paves the
way for increased trade, tourism and investment.
“From establishing pioneering cross-continent routes to freezing
domestic rail fares for the first time in 30 years, transport is
just one of the many ways this Government is investing in
international relationships to cut the cost of living back home.”
Transport Secretary said:
"This partnership between Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn has the
potential to transform cross border rail travel in Europe for
generations to come.
“I'm delighted that following productive discussions with my
German counterpart in the summer, we are speeding ahead with our
ambitions to change how millions of people travel between our two
countries.
"A direct rail link will support the creation of jobs, strengthen
vital trade links and build a sustainable connection that will
make international travel easier and greener."
CEO Eurostar Gwendoline Cazenave said:
"We're thrilled to kick off this partnership with
DB. It's a big step towards making travel between
London and Germany more sustainable and effortless. By combining
Eurostar's cross-channel know-how and new fleet with
DB's strong presence in Germany, we're creating a whole
new level of connectivity and convenience for our
customers.
“This partnership will help continue to power Eurostar's growth
and bring us closer to our goal of carrying 30 million passengers
across our network.”
DB-Vorstand Personenfernverkehr Michael
Peterson said:
“Europe is coming together ever more closely by rail. In
cooperation with Eurostar, we also want to bring Germany and the
UK closer together at high speed. We are convinced of
the great potential of such a direct
connection.
“However, this project also shows that new cross-border
long-distance services are often only possible through
partnerships like this, due to complex framework
conditions.”
