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Commuter trains from Calais to Kent 'could be running before 2012 Olympics', claims French mayor

By Peter Allen

5th February 2010


Cross-Channel link: Eurostar trains pass through Kent on the way to Europe.
A new 'metro' train would use the same lines but run more frequently


A commuter ‘metro’ train between France and Britain which would confirm the Calais area as a ‘suburb of London’ could be up and running in time for the 2012 Olympics, a French mayor has claimed today.The service, could link the cities of Lille and London, with journey times of just over an hour, claimed Dominique Dupilet, head of the Pas-de-Calais council.He said plans for the new train were well advanced, adding: ‘We are a suburb of London and we have to draw from England every development opportunity that we can get.’

Kent County Council has confirmed that it is looking at plans for a local train service across the Channel. Eurotunnel, the company which earns revenue from trains passing through, said it had been approached by both local governments about the project. But a spokesman said it was still in its 'early stages'.

The multi-million pound project would be met by the respective local councils, who would expect to enjoy a huge increase in revenue from people using Kent and the Pas de Calais as a base. The Metro trains would be far more frequent than Eurostar, which currently only stops at stations like Lille, Calais, and Ashford in Kent infrequently.But while the service will be welcomed by thousands, it will provide a security headache for customs officials and those trying to keep illegal migrants and potential terrorists out of Britain. Mr Dupilet made it clear that issues concerning passport controls and security checks still had to be worked out.


Suburb of London? Calais is hoping a new metro train line will help the French town
rebrand itself as British and benefit from the 2012 Olympics

Kent towns like Ashford would be involved – something which Mr Dupilet said would be extremely important because Eurostars are increasingly bypassing towns outside capital cities.
‘Our region and Kent are in negotiations,’ said Mr Dupilet. ‘It’s a metro which will be very useful given the threats to the Eurostar’s regional service. ‘The line will start from Lille, then stop at Calais, Ashford and London. The English are very keen, especially since Ashford station is threatened. We are very keen too. ‘But in order for the line to be rented, we have been told that the train has to leave from Lille. Frankly, negotiations will be over in time for the Olympic Games, but I would like the metro to last well beyond the Olympics.’

The ambitious scheme follows a move by the French to cash in on the London Olympics by rebranding their region ‘part of Britain’. The ploy has helped them land contracts with a string of foreign teams to train in France ahead of the 2012 Games. Boulogne and Calais now claim that the Britain no longer stops at the white cliffs of Dover. ‘I consider that we are the south of England,’ said Mr Dupilet. ‘And because we're the south of England it's normal that we would associate ourselves with this extraordinary event.’ England ruled Calais for more than 200 years after being besieged and captured by Edward III in 1347.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1248558/Metro-commuter-trains-Calais-Kent-running-2012-Olympics.html#ixzz0er0JMsAM