Eurostar and London St. Pancras Highspeed have signed a letter of intent signalling a major joint initiative to expand capacity at St. Pancras International station. The agreement lays the groundwork for a multi-phase programme aimed at futureproofing the historic terminal to meet growing demand for international rail travel.
The initiative follows an independent study commissioned in late 2024 to assess how the station could evolve to support increased passenger volumes and improve the overall travel experience. Architecture firm Hawkins\Brown has been appointed to lead a detailed design and feasibility study, with the goal of more than doubling the current capacity of the international terminal.
The agreement sets out three planned phases:
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Phase One will focus on near-term improvements within the existing station footprint. Enhancements to security and border control processes aim to increase throughput by 2,700 passengers per hour within the next three to four years.
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Phase Two, expected to be completed by 2028, will involve reconfiguring the international area and improving its integration with the main concourse to ease passenger flow and enhance the customer experience.
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Phase Three, anticipated during the 2030s, will explore longer-term expansion options, including the potential relocation of the arrivals area to the upper level of the station.
St. Pancras currently accommodates around 2,000 international passengers per hour, up from 1,800 in 2024. Under the proposed upgrades, this figure could rise to nearly 5,000 per hour by the end of Phase Two.
The project will rely on intelligent spatial design to repurpose and optimise existing areas rather than major structural changes, with careful consideration given to the station’s architectural and historical significance.
The plans come amid surging interest in sustainable transport options across Europe. Research commissioned by London St. Pancras Highspeed earlier this year forecasts a rise in annual passenger numbers from 11 million to 35 million by 2040. In response, Eurostar has announced plans to expand its network from London to new destinations, including Geneva and Frankfurt.
“We’re delighted to be working with Eurostar to expand capacity at St. Pancras International. With growing passenger demand for international train travel, it is important that St. Pancras International station is future-proofed and optimised to accommodate this. With a shared ambition and collaborative approach, we can ensure our iconic station is ready to support this demand,” Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St. Pancras Highspeed, said.
“We’re proud to be working with London St. Pancras Highspeed and Hawkins\Brown to reimagine our space for the future. Eurostar is the green gateway to Europe, already welcoming up to 45,000 customers a day at St. Pancras with demand growing. As we plan to expand our fleet from the early 2030s and increase services to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and now Germany and Switzerland, this project will play a vital role in enabling that growth,” Simon Lejeune, Chief Safety and Stations Officer at Eurostar, added.
“We are very excited to be leading a hand-picked multi-disciplinary team to unlock this constrained site and enable millions of people to enjoy affordable, high-speed, and sustainable journeys to and from Europe. Our challenge is to create a welcoming new landmark for London, with minimal disruption to the travelling public in the process,” Simon Lejeune, Chief Safety and Stations Officer at Eurostar, added.
The concept design and feasibility study is expected to conclude by late 2025, at which point more detailed construction plans will be developed. Completion of Phase Two is currently scheduled for the end of 2028.
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