Plans for a direct rail link between the UK and Germany have taken a major step forward after Eurostar and Germany’s state-owned Deutsche Bahn (DB) signed a memorandum of understanding.
The agreement aims to establish train services connecting London with major German cities such as Cologne and Frankfurt.
The announcement follows the first meeting of a joint UK-Germany taskforce in Berlin on November 25, where transport officials and industry representatives explored ways to overcome barriers to cross-channel rail services.
Millions of passengers could soon travel between London and Cologne in around four hours and Frankfurt in just over five hours with the UK-Germany rail link.
The new routes are set to launch in the early 2030s and are expected to boost tourism, create new jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "This brings us one step closer to a new rail link that will put Britain at the heart of a better-connected Europe and paves the way for increased trade, tourism and investment.
“From establishing pioneering cross-continent routes to freezing domestic rail fares for the first time in 30 years, transport is just one of the many ways this Government is investing in international relationships to cut the cost of living back home.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "This partnership between Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn has the potential to transform cross-border rail travel in Europe for generations to come.
“I’m delighted that following productive discussions with my German counterpart in the summer, we are speeding ahead with our ambitions to change how millions of people travel between our two countries.
"A direct rail link will support the creation of jobs, strengthen vital trade links and build a sustainable connection that will make international travel easier and greener."
