Queen to open faster Euro link
Tuesday, 06 Nov 2007 07:35
The new rail link will cut journey times to Paris and Brussels
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The Queen will inaugurate a new Eurostar terminal as well as a faster rail service to continental Europe at the newly-renovated St Pancras station today.
The Duke of Edinburgh will accompany the Queen at the ceremony, where the new high speed one (HS1) rail link, which will offer quicker journeys to Europe, will be opened.
St Pancras station will act as the new terminal for Eurostar trains from November 14th and the new 68-mile HS1 rail link, which runs from the station to the Channel Tunnel's start at Folkestone, Kent, will enable trains to travel at a maximum speed of 186 mph - thereby guaranteeing shorter journeys to Paris and Brussels.
Today's ceremony involves three trains arriving at St Pancras. The monarch will then meet the train's conductors before speaking to workers who were involved in upgrading facilities at the Victorian building for the improved services.
In 2009, the station is expected to add domestic services to the HS1 link in order to reduce journey times from Kent to central London.