Eurostar is set to expand its European routes after plans were delayed due to the pandemic.
The railway service is set to merge with Belgian operator, Thalys, which is said to be a more comprehensive high-speed rail network.
As a result of the change, it will connect the UK with Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium as well as more of France, as reported by the Independent.
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Plans for the merger were first announced back in October 2019 however were put on hold due to the pandemic after people were told to stay at home resulting in a lack of travelling.
The 'Green Speed Project' is said to be backed by the French state-owned railway company SNCF and the National Railway Company of Belgium - both of which own stakes in Eurostar and Thalys.
Eurostar currently runs high-speed services from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Amsterdam and Rotterdam - all through the Channel Tunnel - and now more routes will be available from the UK to Germany - a journey said to take five and a half hours.
In addition, the proposed plans could see around 40 sleeper services operating on local routes such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of Belgian rail company SNCB and chairman of the board for Thalys, told Euronews : “This merger project is based on the firm belief that trains are the most sustainable, fast, efficient and safest way to travel in Europe - now more than ever.”
