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The 186mph blast-off at St Pancras
Valentine Low, Evening Standard14.11.07
History was made at the new St Pancras International today when the first Eurostar train left for Brussels.
The 186mph passenger service pulled out of the £800million station at 11.06 to mark the successful launch of the most celebrated engineering project in years.
The restoration of the Victorian station has been universally acclaimed and even environmental campaigners were on board to praise the project. To underline the occasion, hundreds of people gathered outside St Pancras - not to travel but just to see the first trains set off. With the new top speed, the journey to Paris is now just two hours 15 minutes, Brussels one hour 51 minutes and Lille one hour 20 minutes.
The 750 seats on the train were snapped up within 60 minutes of tickets going on sale in July. Most paid £59 for the return but some forked out £309 to go first class.
The first service was a "green train" highlighting the company's commitment to environmentally-friendly travel. Passengers included representatives of Friends of the Earth, which has formed a partnership with Eurostar. The company has set a target of reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 25 per cent per passenger journey by 2012 A million tickets have been sold for journeys over the next month and Eurostar predicts a sellout Christmas and New Year with the opening of the £5.8 billion 68-mile line, now known as High Speed 1, between St Pancras International and the Channel Tunnel.
But Eurostar chiefs were keeping a watchful eye on strike action by French transport workers which has crippled the high-speed TGV train service across the country.
French rail chiefs have given preference to Eurostar and a full service is expected but British drivers are ready to take over in case their French colleagues join the strike.
Tom Parker of Eurostar said: "This is an historic day for UK rail. It's the first new rail line in 100 years and the first high-speed line."
Reader views (7)
I am all in favour of green approaches, but the issue of bikes on trains makes me see red. They take up three times the space that people do, and should be charged as such in my view. The self-righteous smugness of many cyclists irritates beyond words, with their high-handed attitudes to folk who "get in their way".
- Paul Harper, Folkestone, Kent
I was part of the 'green' train yesterday, invited as a 'green' blogger.
The journey was very fast and very smooth. No drinks falling onto laps on this journey! Definitely the way to travel as opposed to short haul flights to near European destinations.
The station looks fantastic however the architects have missed the opportunity to utilize renewable technologies with for example a huge flat roof that could have taken a vast array of solar panels.
Eurostar have a 10-point plan to 'green' their operations and I look forward to monitoring their progress.
- Matt Burge, London
Perhaps we should rename St. Pancras and call it Agincourt to keep the French happy when they arrive.
- Robin, London, UK
"The first service was a "green train" highlighting the company's commitment to environmentally-friendly travel."
How green is the station and the service when despite being years in the planning and costing £800 million prior to the formal opening only £300 had been spent on provision for bicycles. There are minimal parking facilities (sufficient for 100 bikes maximum - and these only added in the last couple of days following pressure from cyclist lobby groups) no special access for cyclists and an Orwellian obstacle course for anyone daring to take their bike on the train itself.
This is a missed opportunity. Unless major transport projects recognise the importance of cycling in an integrated transport system and plan in advance, then all this commitment to environmental travel is a load of hot air.
- Judy Cumberbatch, London, UK
St Pancras is now once again beautiful. This is the best structure London has ever seen. Money well spent for sure.
- Nick, London
Perhaps now is the time for the government to expand the high speed rail system across the UK. How much time would be saved compared to a London to Glasgow short haul flight when taking security check in times into account. One train = three planes or 400 car journeys, that can take up to 8 hours. Spend less on roads more on track should be the motto. The national transport system is now beyond a joke being too slow and too expensive. Now let the UK be seen to leading the world again, rather than just follow the so called Third World Nations. Where there is a will there is a way, it just takes courage.
- Raymond Vincent, Brightlingsea, GB
Congratulations to all the engineers who worked on the project - it's a fantastic addition to our rail network. We're always quick to moan about big projects being late and over-budget, so let's celebrate one that's come in on time and to cost.
- Lee, London
