Stratford International to finally run international trains after budget funding

Mayor Sadiq Khan's plan for £20m upgrade to allow cross-Channel services

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Stratford International station in east London is on track to begin running cross-Channel trains after reports that the government will fund its upgrade in the upcoming budget. The station, opened in 2009 but never used for international services, needs an estimated £20 million investment to add border posts, security checks and passenger facilities.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been pushing for the upgrade, arguing it is a better investment for growth and the environment than expanding Heathrow. "We've been working closely with the government to make Stratford International truly 'international' for the first time – opening up new opportunities for jobs, investment and tourism," he said.

Under the reported plan, one in three trains from France would stop at Stratford, and the station could become a hub for rail services from the continent to the Midlands and northern England. Chancellor John Healey is reportedly planning to create a business rate retention zone to help fund the redevelopment, allowing the local authority to keep all business rates growth to pay for the project.

Virgin Group, which is preparing to launch its own cross-Channel services in 2030, is considering Stratford as an additional stop. "We are looking forward to exploring additional stops, including Stratford International," a spokesperson said. Another operator, Gemini Trains, also hopes to use Stratford as its London hub for services to France, Belgium and Germany, but has not yet secured track and depot access.

The station's international section has been mothballed since it opened. The upgrade would allow passengers to board international trains at Stratford rather than traveling to St Pancras.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Stratford International's upgrade would improve transport links for east London and provide more convenient access to Europe.
Introducing competition to Eurostar on the cross-Channel route could lower fares and increase service frequency.
The development supports continued economic growth in Stratford and the surrounding area, boosting jobs and tourism.

Background

Stratford International was built to handle Eurostar services during the 2012 Olympics but was never fully brought into use for international travel. It has only operated domestic services on the Southeastern network. The reported funding would complete the original vision and allow the station to serve trains to France, Belgium, Germany and beyond.

Key Perspectives

London Mayor Sadiq Khan: He argues the upgrade is a better investment than airport expansion and will boost jobs, tourism and investment in one of London's fastest-growing areas. Virgin Group: The operator sees Stratford as a potential addition to its planned 2030 cross-Channel service, increasing convenience for passengers. Gemini Trains: The company wants to use Stratford as its London base for routes to France, Belgium and Germany, but still needs regulatory approvals.

What to Watch

The budget announcement next week for confirmed funding details.
The speed of upgrades: border and security facilities are complex to install.
Operator competition: whether Virgin and Gemini can secure access to the station and track.
Impact on Eurostar: could Stratford shift departure patterns and passenger traffic.

Sources

Stratford International finally to have international trains in budget boost · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedStratford International will finally run international trains after budget funding.World news | The Guardian: “Stratford International train station in east London will receive funding in next week’s budget, according to reports, putting it on track to live up to its name and become a hub for cross-Channel services.”
Partly supportedThe mayor’s plan is for a £20m upgrade.World news | The Guardian: “The work opening up the station and the mothballed international section of the station, including platforms and a waiting area, would cost an estimated £20m , according to the Standard.”
SupportedThe station is on track to begin running cross-Channel trains after reports of budget funding.World news | The Guardian: “Stratford International train station in east London will receive funding in next week’s budget, according to reports, putting it on track to live up to its name and become a hub for cross-Channel services.”
SupportedKhan said the government was working with him to make Stratford International truly international and open up jobs, investment and tourism.World news | The Guardian: “Khan said: “We’ve been working closely with the government to make Stratford International truly ‘international’ for the first time – opening up new opportunities for jobs, investment and tourism, while connecting one of the UK’s fastest-growing economic centres directly to Europe.””
SupportedThe upgrade is estimated to cost £20m and would add border posts, security checks and passenger facilities.World news | The Guardian: “Stratford International would require a significant upgrade from its current two platforms to allow it to welcome international services, including adding a border post and security checks as well as a check-in zone, waiting area and facilities for passengers. The work opening up the station and the mothballed international section of the station, including platforms and a waiting area, would cost an estimated £20m , according to the Standard.”
SupportedKhan argued that upgrading Stratford was a better investment for growth and the environment than expanding Heathrow.World news | The Guardian: “Khan recently argued that growth in international rail travel and environmental concerns meant it would be better to improve Stratford International than expand Heathrow by building a third runway.”
Partly supportedUnder the reported plan, one in three trains from France would stop at Stratford.World news | The Guardian: “It reported Khan’s plan is for one in three trains to and from France to stop at the station”
Partly supportedJohn Healey is reportedly planning to create a business rate retention zone.World news | The Guardian: “The chancellor, John Healey, is reportedly planning to greenlight the mayor’s proposal to create a business rate retention zone, according to the Financial Times”
SupportedThe Virgin Group is planning to launch cross-Channel rail services in 2030.World news | The Guardian: “Virgin is planning to launch rail services from London to the continent in 2030, bringing direct competition to Eurostar on the cross-Channel route for the first time since the opening of the tunnel.”
SupportedA Virgin Group spokesperson said, “We are looking forward to exploring additional stops, including Stratford International.”World news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for the Virgin Group said the operator was “looking forward to exploring additional stops, including Stratford International”.”
SupportedGemini Trains hopes to use Stratford as its London hub for services to France, Belgium and Germany.World news | The Guardian: “Gemini Trains, chaired by the Labour peer Tony Berkeley, is hoping to run trains to France, Belgium and Germany and has said it wants to use Stratford as its London hub.”
SupportedGemini Trains has not yet secured track and depot access.World news | The Guardian: “However, it has not yet been granted depot and track access.”