Stratford International finally to have international trains in budget boost

Stratford International station is set to receive funding in next week’s budget for an upgrade that could allow it to serve cross-Channel trains. Mayor Sadiq Khan has argued the project would connect east London more directly to Europe, support jobs and tourism, and make better use of the station’s original purpose.

The station opened in 2009 but currently serves domestic routes, while Eurostar trains pass through without stopping. The reported £20m upgrade would add border and security checks, check-in facilities and passenger areas, and reopen its unused international section. Khan’s proposal would see one in three trains to and from France stop there; Virgin and Gemini Trains have also expressed interest in running international services from Stratford.