News

German transport operator, Deutsche Bahn which is in negotiations with Eurotunnel is reported to be close to securing a concession to run its high-speed trains through the Channel tunnel and offer direct services from Germany to London.

Reports on the TimesOnline website say the German company wants to develop freight and passenger routes into Britain using the High Speed raillink from the Channel Tunnel to St Pancras, but present safety regulations permit only Eurostar trains that are configured as two trains joined together with a locomotive at each end.

To send its trains through the tunnel, Deutsche Bahn would need permission for trains without the special Eurostar configuration.

Rail industry sources say that Deutsche Bahn is close to an agreement and is keen to develop direct services using its ICE fleet of high-speed trains to Britain.

According to the TimesOnline, Deutsche Bahn has signalled that it might like to buy the British stake in Eurostar, although Air France/KLM are also reported to be interested.