HS1 Performance Rises but Regulator Presses on Assets

HS1 has significantly reduced delays across its London-to-Channel Tunnel line, yet the UK rail regulator still demands action on infrastructure risks and asset planning. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

From April 2024 to March 2025, London St. Pancras Highspeed (LSPH) lowered its delay rate from three in every 400 trains to just one. The average delay dropped to 4.2 seconds, even with an 8% increase in traffic volume.

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HS1 faces pressure on international station safety

Despite this progress, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) remains concerned about HS1 infrastructure—particularly at international stations. A serious incident at Ebbsfleet International, where an escalator reversed unexpectedly and injured four people, triggered regulatory action.

The ORR now requires LSPH to strengthen asset management, with a focus on station lifts, escalators, and weather-related vulnerabilities. It also ordered faster implementation of improvements under the PR24 settlement, which governs the network’s performance framework through 2029.

HS1 expansion plans raise market competition stakes

Meanwhile, LSPH continues pushing for growth. In July, the company signed a letter of intent with Eurostar to triple international capacity at St. Pancras by 2030. Planned upgrades span from short-term border improvements to long-term structural enhancements of the terminal.

Besides Eurostar, LSPH and Channel Tunnel operator Getlink want new operators—such as Virgin, Gemini, Evolyn-backed FS, and SBB—to enter the market. However, Eurostar resists competition. The company warned the ORR that focusing only on depot space at Temple Mills risks stalling broader international growth.

Eurostar proposes an €80 million upgrade for the site and suggests developing new depots at Ashford, Ripple Lane, and other hubs. Its €2 billion plan also includes 50 new trains and expanded routes to Frankfurt and Geneva.

HS1 is clearly on a path of operational improvement and ambitious expansion. But as aging infrastructure and regulatory pressure mount, long-term resilience will be key to sustaining growth in international rail.

Source: www.railtech.com

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