13 November 2008

Huge regional growth for Eurostar

Eurostar has reported huge growth in traveller demand from the UK regions after its first year of operations at St Pancras International.

The rail operator says traveller numbers from regions north of London have increased by up to 150% in the year since Eurostar move to the new terminal for its new high-speed line.

From November 14 2007to November 2 2008, passenger numbers grew as follows:

East Midlands: 100%: including Derbyshire 154%, Nottinghamshire 112%, Leicestershire 111%

Yorkshire: South Yorks 118%, East Yorks 100%, North Yorks 100%, West Yorks 68%

North East: 103%; including Tyne & Wear 114%, Co Durham 103%, Newcastle 106%, Teesside 105%

West Midlands: 53%; including Coventry 52% and Birmingham 49%

Greater Manchester: 54%; including Stockport 62% and Oldham 56%

Scotland: 38%; including Edinburgh 38%, Glasgow 29% and Aberdeen 41%

In the first nine months of 2008, Eurostar carried a total of 7 million travellers, up 13.9% on last year, with ticket sales up 17.2% to Ã&#pound;521.1 million.

However, passenger numbers have been impacted following a fire in the Channel tunnel on September 11.

Since October 1, Eurostar has only been able to operate an amended timetable due to reduced Channel tunnel capacity provided.

This represents 93% of Eurostar capacity and is expected to continue in force until after Eurotunnel restores full tunnel capacity next spring.

By Bev Fearis