Channel Tunnel Railway Line: Coronavirus

(asked on 12th November 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Eurostar International Ltd, and (2) HS1 Ltd, about the impact of reduced passenger demand caused by the current travel restrictions on thos companies' ability to continue to provide a service in the future.


Answered by
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait
Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
This question was answered on 26th November 2020

The international rail sector, as with the rest of the international travel sector, has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government has been engaging extensively with Eurostar since the outbreak of Covid-19 earlier this year, closely monitoring the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on demand for international rail services and working with Eurostar to provide support, particularly through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Department for Transport officials have also been actively participating in trilateral discussions with Eurostar and HS1 Ltd to consider and address the longer-term challenges facing the HS1 system as a result of reduced demand for international rail services. The Rail Minister has also recently met with both Eurostar and HS1 to discuss these challenges. The Government will continue to engage in these discussions to identify workable, appropriate solutions to these challenges.

Reticulating Splines