Government signals plan for high-speed rail link to Switzerland 

The government has signalled plans for a direct rail link to Switzerland via the Channel Tunnel.

 

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander signed a “landmark” agreement to progress the initiative.

 

The move will help formalise co-operation between the two 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,” the Department for Transport said..

 

“It will also support the industry’s existing plans to realise long-term ambitions for enhanced rail connectivity between the UK and central Europe.”

 

A joint working group will be established to bring 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 DoT added.

 

“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.”

 

Eurostar is currently the only operator of high speed rail services from London to the continent but a number of challengers have emerged in a bid to break the monopoly.

 

Swiss federal councillor Albert Rösti admitted that a direct rail service between the UK and Switzerland was an “ambitious goal”.

 

The memorandum of understanding signed on Friday would establish "the basis to jointly examine concrete next steps. Such a connection would send a strong signal for international public transport,” he said.

 

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.”

 

Robert Sinclair, chief executive 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 two 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.”

 

Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave added: “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.”