The Prime Minister is welcoming European Union leaders to Lancaster House in London for what promises to an historic summit.

Although a number of items are on his agenda, including the use of electronic passport gates by British citizens at EU ports, a security pact and a ‘veterinary deal’ to ease the rules on food trading, campaigners have written to Sir Keir Starmer urging him to include international rail in his discussions.

International rail services from London have been in the news recently, partly as potential open access operators jostle to compete with Eurostar, and also following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ten days ago between transport aecretary Heidi Alexander and Swiss federal councillor Albert Rösti, which the government said will ‘lay the groundwork’ for future train services between Britain and Switzerland.

The letter to the PM has been signed by Campaign for Better Transport,UK Transport in Europe and the Rail Freight Group.

It lays out several priorities. These are the development of an International Rail Strategy with growth targets, more direct services between London and EU cities, the reopening of Ashford and Ebbsfleet International, further simplifications of border controls and investment in railways to the Channel Tunnel through Kent to encourage more rail freight.

CBT chief executive Ben Plowden said: ‘The Channel Tunnel was conceived as a bold expression of Anglo-European cooperation and has played a key role in increasing economic prosperity in the UK and our relationship with Europe, yet it is woefully underused. With the government undertaking a “once-in-a-generation” programme of domestic rail reform, we are keen it does not overlook the huge benefits of international rail. The government must use the full potential of the Channel Tunnel to help boost the UK economy and revitalise the UK’s relationship with the EU.’

Rail Freight Group director general Maggie Simpson said: ‘Increasing rail freight through the Channel Tunnel will stimulate UK-EU trade, opening up new routes to market for UK businesses and helping to decongest busy motorways. We urge Government to provide focused support for this vital trade corridor.’

They are being supported by the CEO of UK Transport in Europe Mark Watts, who said promoting international rail ‘is one of the most effective ways to boost UK-EU trade, cut emissions, and support long-term, sustainable economic growth’.

He continued: ‘The Channel Tunnel remains a vital but underused asset. By working with the EU to streamline border controls, not just at rail termini but across ports and key pinch points, we can unlock quick, tangible wins. The UK-EU reset is the opportunity to realise that potential and deliver real benefits for passengers, businesses and the regions that depend on them.’

A recent report from the CBT entitled: ‘Runways to railways: unlocking the potential of the Channel Tunnel’, said 28.5 million people a year could be travelling between Britain and the continent by train by 2034 – which would be more than two and half times the current number.

The report also said the Tunnel could account for up to half the trips between Britain and its nearest continental neighbours currently made by air by 2040.

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