In a move that would allow Siemens-built trains to operate from Germany to London St Pancras through the Channel Tunnel, the French government has said that it will not oppose the proposals if the European Railway Agency, as expected, gives the go ahead to their operation.
Initially there was some resistance by the French government to the proposal by Deutsche Bahn to use Siemens constructed InterCity Express (ICE) trains on the route, due to a perceived safety risk from the use of rolling stock that uses distributed traction,with motors under each vehicle as opposed to separate power cars. These fears were allayed following evacuation tests in the tunnel last October.
Deutsche Bahn hope to commence running 3 daily London services from 2013.
Eurostar has ordered 10 new trains from Siemens as part of a £700m project to update and expand its current fleet of trains, allowing it to serve more European destinations from 2014.
The company now commands approximately 80% of the travel market between London & Paris and London & Brussels.
