Mayor's bid to bring Europe trains to Stratford

Plans to bring international rail services to Stratford International station have been backed by the mayor of London, who says the move could boost jobs, investment and tourism in east London.

For the past two decades, passengers travelling to Paris by train have departed from St Pancras International. Lord Khan wants Stratford International to live up to its name, with trains to Europe stopping there for the first time.

The mayor described Stratford as "one of Europe's largest and most successful regeneration projects" and said international services would help unlock the station's potential.

The project is estimated to cost £20m with a decision on funding expected in Wednesday's Budget.

Completed in 2006 and opened for domestic high-speed services in 2009, Stratford International was built for international trains on the High Speed 1 line.

However, international passenger services have never called there, and the station is currently used by Southeastern High Speed and DLR services.

Border and security facilities would need to be introduced before cross-Channel trains can stop there.

The mayor said he had been working closely with the government on the proposals, arguing they would improve links between east London and Europe while supporting further economic growth.

Lord Khan said Stratford had become "one of Europe's largest and most successful regeneration projects" and that international rail services would bring new opportunities for jobs, investment and tourism.

It is hoped that up to one in three trains travelling to France could stop at Stratford if the plans go ahead.

While some residents told BBC London they had concerns about increased traffic and congestion, others questioned why the station should not be used for international services as the rail infrastructure is already in place.

Supporters say the scheme could raise Stratford's profile internationally and attract more people to spend time and money locally.

Gianluca Rizzo, manager of Stratford Original Business Improvement District, which represents businesses in the town centre, said the plans could attract more visitors from Europe and boost the local economy.

He said: "The main benefit is actually putting Stratford on an international map. I think a lot of people are already choosing Stratford as their choice for the night, but going international would mean even more people hopefully spending more time in the area."

A business owner near the station has welcomed the plans saying it could give them "seven-day trade".

Rebecca Rosmini, co-founder of Signorelli Bakery, said international services would be a "game changer" for the area.

"We've been in Stratford now since 2015. Obviously on the promise it was going to be an international station, and it didn't become it," she said.

"We've all been talking about it happening. I think the work that we do for businesses would probably see our catering business go up tenfold.

"If that was an international station, you'd have all the hotels and all the offices that would pile in. It would be a completely different demographic rather than a primarily residential one."

Lord Khan added: "It's time to unlock the full potential of this station and help write the next chapter in Stratford's remarkable success story as we continue building a better, greener, more prosperous London for everyone."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk