Expansion Plans Set to Transform London St Pancras into a Major International Travel Hub

As reported by a recent publication from London St Pancras Highspeed, the infrastructure manager and Eurostar have taken a important step towards enhancing international travel capacity at London St Pancras station.They’ve inked a letter of intent aimed at more than doubling the current passenger capacity. To spearhead this initiative, they’ve brought on board HawkinsBrown, an architecture firm tasked with conducting in-depth studies.

This agreement, signed on July 3rd, follows an independent analysis commissioned last year that examined how to manage increasing passenger numbers at the station. Currently facing challenges due to rising traffic and post-Brexit border regulations, projections indicate that annual passenger demand coudl soar from 11 million to as high as 35 million by 2040. Eurostar is eager to expand its services while new players are eyeing opportunities for cross-Channel routes.

The first phase of this ambitious project will focus on immediate enhancements within the existing space.this includes streamlining security and border processes to accommodate an additional flow of about 2,700 passengers per hour over the next three to four years.

The second phase aims to revamp the international area and improve its connection with the main concourse—this upgrade is expected to boost capacity significantly, allowing for nearly double that number at around 5,000 passengers per hour. The feasibility study for these improvements is set for completion by late 2025 when detailed design plans will be developed with construction anticipated by late 2028.

A third phase slated for the following decade will explore long-term strategies for further increasing capacity; one idea includes relocating arrivals upstairs.