The British company HS1 officially changed its name after a rebranding in February 2025. The infrastructure operator of the high-speed line between London and the English Channel is now called London St. Pancras Highspeed. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The British company HS1 officially changed its name after a rebranding in February 2025. The infrastructure operator of the high-speed line between London and the English Channel is now called London St. Pancras Highspeed.
Photo: London St. Pancras Highspeed

HS1 Infrastructure Development

The route spans 109 kilometers, with trains reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. This line connects St. Pancras International with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, providing international services.

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Additionally, trains operate between London and towns in Kent County, handling domestic transportation. London St. Pancras Highspeed is considering plans to increase station capacity.

It is expected that the station will accommodate up to 5,000 passengers per hour instead of the current 1,800. To implement these plans, the agency Active Thinking was contracted in July 2024.

The Future of HS1 and Passenger Growth

Experts will analyze infrastructure capabilities to optimize passenger flow. Increasing station capacity is linked to growing demand for Eurostar services.

In 2024, Eurostar transported a record 19.5 million passengers, with plans to increase this number by 2030. Forecasts suggest that annual passenger traffic will reach 30 million.

At the same time, 60% of London residents support banning short-haul flights. They believe that alternative rail routes are more convenient and environmentally friendly.

The HS1 line was introduced in phases, starting passenger services in 2003. The second section was launched in 2007, significantly expanding route coverage.

Besides passenger services, the line is also used for freight transportation. The operator DB Cargo UK facilitates transport between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.

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