Key facts
- Stratford International station to be upgraded for international train services.
- Funding for the station's redevelopment is expected in the upcoming budget.
- The upgrade is estimated to cost £20 million.
- Virgin Group plans to operate international services from Stratford starting in 2030.
Stratford International train station in east London is poised to become a hub for cross-Channel services, with reports indicating it will receive funding in the upcoming budget. Mayor Sadiq Khan has been lobbying ministers for upgrades to enable international rail operations, aiming to boost jobs, investment, and tourism. The station, originally designed for Eurostar but never fully utilized for international routes, would require significant investment, including border posts and passenger facilities, estimated at £20 million. The plan includes one in three trains to and from France stopping at Stratford, potentially serving as a hub for services to the Midlands and the north of England. Chancellor John Healey is reportedly considering a business rate retention zone to help fund the redevelopment. Virgin Group is planning to launch its own international services from London in 2030 and is exploring additional stops, including Stratford International.