TRAINS could run directly from York to France under new plans being explored by city bosses.

City of York Council leader James Alexander has held talks with his counterparts along the East Coast Main Line, with a view to creating a direct link.

Coun Alexander confirmed he and other council leaders want to ensure the Main Line’s new franchise would allow for Eurostar or other international rail firms to ultimately use the line.

He said plans were “a long-term aspiration” and at an early stage but said Eurostar links would bring massive economic benefits and could lead to international investment in the York Central site.

A York-Paris journey would take about four and-a-half hours using the current East Coast Main Line (ECML), and about four hours using planned HS2 links to Eurostar lines through St Pancras station.

Coun Alexander said: “There are commercial realities and any long-term aspiration will need a solid business case, but better international connectivity for York would be a huge boost to our economy and a rail solution would present opportunities for investors interested in York Central.

“International rail connectivity is a long-term opportunity for many along the ECML. With a direct link to the continent, we could see a development on York Central similar to the Argent development at Kings Cross, which received much continental investment.”

Coun Alexander said he was working with other councils on the East Coast Main Line Authorities group, which he chairs, to ensure rail franchising would not preclude Eurostar or other international operators using it in future. However, he said the plans were “very much in their infancy”.

He said Eurostar originally planned to run services on the ECML and there were no technical barriers, as the tracks are compatible, while “regulatory burdens” such as customs-checks would soon have to be resolved due to Deutsche Bahn planning services from London to Frankfurt and Amsterdam.

Power supply upgrades are planned for the East Coast line, ensuring international services can use it, and it already meets Eurostar’s requirements for stations and signs.

Peterborough City Council leader Marco Cereste, a member of the ECML Authorities group, said: “It could have enormous potential for York, Peterborough and other cities. The economic benefits are phenomenal, and we are very keen for it to happen.”

Visit York chief executive Gillian Cruddas said Eurostar connections would allow York’s tourism and conference businesses to forge closer links with European markets. A third of York’s overseas visitors come from Europe and she said such investment would demonstrate “great confidence” in York.

Susie Cawood, who heads York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said it would allow more international trade and attract global investment to York.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley said continental rail links would enhance York’s tourism, business and science reputation. He said customs and immigration issues were “solvable”, perhaps by carrying out customs checks on boarding and border control checks at the same time or on trains.

York’s distance from major airports made Eurostar travel more attractive than in other cities, he said, adding that the case for an international rail link was stronger now than when it was promised in the 1990s, due to York’s larger economy and the strengthened environmental case for rail travel.

 

New Eurostar plan revives original rail vision

EUROSTAR’S original plans for services from Scotland to Paris and Brussels, via York, were abandoned despite the trains being built.

The need for airport-style security scanners and issues surrounding customs clearance, border control and competition from airlines were cited as reasons.

Mr Bayley said one option would be non-stop services from a limited number of stops north of London – such as Glasgow, York and Peterborough – to Paris, Brussels or Lille, removing the need to disembark at St Pancras for security screening.

The mayor of York’s twin town Dijon has offered to arrange a meeting with the French Transport Minister and Edinburgh City Council is willing to arrange a meeting with the Scottish Parliament if firmer proposals develop.

More information about Eurostar is available at eurostar.com.