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First outing for faster Eurostar First outing for faster Eurostar
(20 minutes later)
Eurostar is making its inaugural journey from Paris to London via Britain's new high-speed line.Eurostar is making its inaugural journey from Paris to London via Britain's new high-speed line.
The train - carrying members of the media - will arrive at St Pancras International station, instead of Waterloo, for the first time.The train - carrying members of the media - will arrive at St Pancras International station, instead of Waterloo, for the first time.
The 186mph (300km/h) line is expected to cut journey times from Paris to London by 20 minutes to 2hr 15min. It will open to the public on 14 November.The 186mph (300km/h) line is expected to cut journey times from Paris to London by 20 minutes to 2hr 15min. It will open to the public on 14 November.
Construction of the line and revamping St Pancras cost £5.8bn in public funds.Construction of the line and revamping St Pancras cost £5.8bn in public funds.
The high cost of the project is partly due to some major engineering challenges, including laying track to pass over the River Medway, under the River Thames and through 11 miles of tunnels beneath London.The high cost of the project is partly due to some major engineering challenges, including laying track to pass over the River Medway, under the River Thames and through 11 miles of tunnels beneath London.
PROJECTED JOURNEY TIMES London-Paris 2 hrs 15 minsLondon-Brussels 1hr 51 mins London-Lille 1hr 20 mins New link to Channel TunnelPROJECTED JOURNEY TIMES London-Paris 2 hrs 15 minsLondon-Brussels 1hr 51 mins London-Lille 1hr 20 mins New link to Channel Tunnel
The 306-mile (490km) test-run is expected to set a new record for the journey time between Paris and London.The 306-mile (490km) test-run is expected to set a new record for the journey time between Paris and London.
The train was due to leave Paris at 0944 BST and is expected to reach speeds of up to 186mph - 50% faster than domestic rail services.The train was due to leave Paris at 0944 BST and is expected to reach speeds of up to 186mph - 50% faster than domestic rail services.
It will join the new 68-mile (110km) line, known as High Speed 1, at the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone, before arriving at St Pancras at about midday.It will join the new 68-mile (110km) line, known as High Speed 1, at the Channel Tunnel near Folkestone, before arriving at St Pancras at about midday.
The train will pass through the new £100m Ebbsfleet International station near Dartford, in Kent.The train will pass through the new £100m Ebbsfleet International station near Dartford, in Kent.
Seven services to Paris and five to Brussels will start running from Ebbsfleet from 19 November and a ticket office has been opened at Bluewater Shopping Centre two miles from the station.Seven services to Paris and five to Brussels will start running from Ebbsfleet from 19 November and a ticket office has been opened at Bluewater Shopping Centre two miles from the station.
It's as quick and more frequent and we will be matching airline prices Richard BrownEurostar chief executiveIt's as quick and more frequent and we will be matching airline prices Richard BrownEurostar chief executive
Trains have always travelled along the French section of the route at high speeds, but were forced to slow down on the British side because they shared a track with commuter services in and out of London.Trains have always travelled along the French section of the route at high speeds, but were forced to slow down on the British side because they shared a track with commuter services in and out of London.
Richard Brown, chief executive of Eurostar, said he hoped that by 2010 10m people would travel by Eurostar each year.Richard Brown, chief executive of Eurostar, said he hoped that by 2010 10m people would travel by Eurostar each year.
"Today marks Britain's entry into the European high-speed rail club," he added. "Today marks Britain's entry into the European high-speed rail club."
"We can now run trains at high speed all the way from the Channel Tunnel to London, making journeys between cities quicker, more convenient and far greener than flying."
He said journey times to Paris, even for people travelling from Yorkshire, would be broadly the same as for those flying due to lengthier check-in times at airports.He said journey times to Paris, even for people travelling from Yorkshire, would be broadly the same as for those flying due to lengthier check-in times at airports.
"It's as quick and more frequent... and we will be matching airline prices.""It's as quick and more frequent... and we will be matching airline prices."
Nigel Harris, managing editor of Rail Magazine, said he was thrilled to be among the first passengers to travel on the new high-speed line.Nigel Harris, managing editor of Rail Magazine, said he was thrilled to be among the first passengers to travel on the new high-speed line.
Trains will run from the new St Pancras from NovemberTrains will run from the new St Pancras from November
He said it would mean hundreds of thousands of people from the North would be able to travel to Paris without facing the drag of travelling across London on bus, Tube or train to get to Waterloo. He said it would mean hundreds of thousands of people from north of London would be able to travel to Paris without facing the drag of travelling across London on bus, Tube or train to get to Waterloo.
Critics though say that unless passengers start their journey in London, the cost of rail travel to reach St Pancras is prohibitive.
But Mr Brown told BBC News 24 negotiations were under way with train companies which operate north of London to put in place "attractive through-fares" from Yorkshire, Scotland and the Midlands to Paris and Brussels.
Eurostar tickets from London to Paris start from £59 return.
London and Continental Railways (LCR), the company behind the construction of the new line, said it was the first new railway for 100 years and Britain's largest single construction in history.London and Continental Railways (LCR), the company behind the construction of the new line, said it was the first new railway for 100 years and Britain's largest single construction in history.
A spokesman for LCR said it would be a "very powerful catalyst" for regeneration.A spokesman for LCR said it would be a "very powerful catalyst" for regeneration.
He said LCR had a commitment to repay some of the £5.8bn in government money from profits generated from large areas of land bought around the track.He said LCR had a commitment to repay some of the £5.8bn in government money from profits generated from large areas of land bought around the track.
St Pancras station, which has undergone an £800m refurbishment, will eventually be linked to the site of the 2012 Olympics at Stratford, east London.St Pancras station, which has undergone an £800m refurbishment, will eventually be linked to the site of the 2012 Olympics at Stratford, east London.
Will you be travelling on the new Eurostar? Do you think the high-speed line will encourage more people to use the service? Send your comments and experiences using the form below:Will you be travelling on the new Eurostar? Do you think the high-speed line will encourage more people to use the service? Send your comments and experiences using the form below:
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