Camden New Journal - ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE Published: November 2007
Speeding towards the future of international rail links
Since it opened in 2003, Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) has rivalled any train service in the world for punctuality, speed and reliability.
On November 14, 2006, the CTRL was re-christened High Speed 1 to reflect the true character of the UK’s first high-speed line.
Now, exactly one year on, the first Eurostar train will leave
St Pancras on High Speed 1, signifying the UK’s complete connection to the rapidly expanding European high-speed network.
It’s environmentally sound too. Eurostar trains release 10 times less greenhouse emissions per passenger mile than flying and from this November all Eurostar journeys will be carbon neutral at no extra cost to travellers.
Due for completion on time and within budget, High Speed 1 has leveraged well over £10 billion of investment in regeneration around its international stations and claims to cut at least 25 minutes off current journey times.
The fastest journey times in 2007 stand at 2 hours 15 minutes from St Pancras to Paris and 1 hour 43 minutes St Pancras to Brussels.