HS1 Ltd has announced the appointment of specialist design consultancy Active Thinking to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at expanding capacity at St Pancras International station in London. This initiative comes in response to the increasing demand for rail travel between Britain and continental Europe.
The study will focus on determining the most effective methods to enhance service frequency at St Pancras, which is constrained by limited waiting areas for passengers beyond security and passport checks. Active Thinking is expected to deliver its report in autumn 2024.
The study has been prompted by growing interest from several new entrants in operating cross-border services on the high-speed line that HS1 owns from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel. Incumbent operator Eurostar has also outlined ambitious plans to increase its passenger numbers from 19 million to 30 million by 2030, supported by the procurement of a fleet of 50 new trains.
A three-step approach will be employed to assess how to optimise current station infrastructure, accommodate ongoing growth in passenger traffic, and evaluate the impact and cost of potential expansion. Active Thinking will explore modern and technological solutions to boost passenger flow through the station, while maintaining an efficient and seamless customer experience.
Passenger numbers at St Pancras have increased considerably following the Covid-19 pandemic. Eurostar has reported a record 22% year-on-year increase in passengers across its five-country network, which includes routes from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
