Page 47 - WTM Cities Report

Future national and international rail programmes
The only rail connection between London and mainland Europe is the Channel Tunnel, with Eurostar currently holding a monopoly on passenger travel. The company is expanding
its network, with a direct link with Amsterdam starting in December 2017. With a travel time
of under four hours, it is believed that the rail provider can compete with airlines on one of the busiest routes in Europe.
Rail is also seen as a way to provide economic stimuli beyond London. Crossrail is set to improve connections between London and surrounding areas, and to reduce overcrowding on the London Underground and trains. The Thameslink Programme is developed to ensure that destinations north and south of London are directly connected, without the need to switch
stations in London. High Speed Two (HS2) will run from London Euston to Birmingham, Crewe and Leeds to improve connections to northern powerhouses.
Key (Proposed) Milestones for Rail Developments in the UK
April 2017
UK sends rst train from London to Yiwu, China, on New Silk Road
Dec 2017
Eurostar opens London-Amsterdam route
Mid-2018
Construction of Phase 1 of
HS2 starts and the Thameslink Programme completed, improving north-south travel through London
Dec 2018
Crossrail Elizabeth Line between Paddington and Abbey Wood opens
Source: Euromonitor International
Dec 2019
Crossrail Elizabeth Line full service from Reading to Shen eld and Abbey Wood, via Heathrow opens
2020?
Deutsche Bahn opens London-Frankfurt route
Dec 2026
Phase 1 of HS2 from London to Birmingham opens
2027
HS2 Phase 2a from Birmingham to Crewe opens
2033
HS2 Phase 2b from Birmingham to Leeds opens
RAIL REvOLUTION
© 2017 Euromonitor International 44