FUTURE USE OF EUROSTAR PLATFORMS AT WATERLOO

Early day motion 610, tabled 19 July 2005 by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 31 members.

That this House recognises that more than 250,000 people a day use Waterloo station and that the commuter services are among the most overcrowded in the country; notes the decision by Eurostar to transfer its international train services from Waterloo International to St Pancras when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is completed in 2007; further notes that the Strategic Rail Authority, on behalf of the Department for Transport, have commissioned Arup to conduct a study on possible future uses for Waterloo International station and the Eurostar train servicing depot at North Pole, West London; believes that when Eurostar vacates Waterloo in 2007, the spare capacity should be geared towards alleviating overcrowding and reducing delays on domestic routes; further believes that the platforms and space made available should be incorporated into any wider schemes to improve the whole of Waterloo station's facilities; welcomes the expressions of support from South West Trains, Transport for London and the London Transport Users' Committee for such a proposal; and calls on the Government to publish Arup's study as soon as it is completed and to undertake the necessary engineering work to enable domestic rail operators to use the five quarter-mile long Eurostar platforms at Waterloo.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 11, Conservative 6, DUP 2, UUP 1.