NEW routes could be on the horizon for Eurostar, after the train company revealed plans to significantly expand its fleet.
Train operator Eurostar plans to place an order with train manufacturers in a bid to expand its fleet and replace its older rolling stock.
After the train operator has replaced its older carriages, it will be able to expand its fleet by 33 per cent from 51 to 67 trains.
This means that 16 will be brand new, while the rest will replace older trains as they need improvements.
According to the Financial Times, Eurostar Chief Executive Gwendoline Cazenave revealed that the train company was considering new route options from London to Europe.
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This would mean adding to its existing services between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels.
She said: "With a new fleet we will study new routes, new European routes . . . I think by the end of the year or early 2025 we will be able to say more."
The train operator will choose the manufacturer based on how quickly stock can be delivered, with Cazenave adding: "It’s a race. The sooner the better.
"The market is pushing so hard, that we really need to see which manufacturer is going to be able to be ready as quick as possible."
Eurostar isn't the only train operator hoping to establish new routes and connections from London to Europe, with a swathe of other businesses announcing plans to launch services in recent years.
She also said that the new fleet would coincide with the new improvements at some of the destination stations.
This includes the expansion of the Eurostar terminal in Amsterdam as well as renovations of Paris Gare du Nord and St Pancras in the next few years.
She added: "At the stage of the new fleet, we will have bigger stations."
Biometric border checks are also due to be introduced at London St Pancras International later this year.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks will require residents from outside the EU or Schengen area to register before entering the zone.
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While there has been much worry over lengthy queues and wait times when the biometric border checks come into force, Cazenave remains confident that passengers won't be facing huge queues.
According to the Eurostar chief executive, parts of the London train station will be redesigned to make more space for passengers.
The train companies hoping to rival Eurostar
Evolyn
Last year, start-up operator Evolyn revealed plans to connect London St Pancras International and Paris Gare du Nord by 2025.
It is hoped that the first service will launch in 2025, with a full service expected by 2026.
Heuro
Meanwhile, new Dutch operator Heuro has also announced plans for routes between London, Amsterdam and Paris.
The train company plans to operate 15 daily return services between London and Amsterdam, rivalling Eurostar's four direct services.
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains could also be looking to launch a new route between the UK and Europe.
A source told the Telegraph that Virgin has a "strong chance of succeeding" on the new route - although a Virgin spokesperson wouldn't comment on the speculations.
At present, around 400 trains per day use the tunnel between London and Europe - despite having a capacity for 1,000.
Meanwhile, a new train service is set to launch in the UK next year.
The new service will be called the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway, with routes operating between London Euston and Wrexham.
