A new direct train service from St Pancras International could stretch as far as Milan in Italy, as Italy’s state railway invests in services through the Channel Tunnel
An exciting new service may provide Brits with a new way to visit Italy that doesn’t involve flying. Currently, the Eurostar allows Brits to travel with convenience to a few key destinations around Europe, including Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Italy’s state railway has announced plans to run between London and Paris by 2029 as part of a €1bn (£860m) investment in services through the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone, Kent, and beyond.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) says it will use trains modelled after its Frecciarossa express services in continental Europe – an alternative to Eurostar.
FS raised the prospect of longer links from London, including to Marseille and Milan via Lyon. The new services are facilitated by a planned terminal redesign of London’s St Pancras. London St Pancras Highspeed, the company responsible for the station, hoped a redesigned terminal could attract new railway operators to compete with Eurostar, reported the Times.
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The prospective route would see trains depart from London St Pancras station to Milano Centrale – Milan’s main train station. The Italian station opened in the early 1930s to replace an older, smaller station.
There are 24 tracks at Centrale, with a soaring glass and metal arched roof over the platforms. The imposing design of the building was intended to showcase the dominance of then-Prime Minister Mussolini’s fascist regime, according to Italia Rail.
In addition to being one of the most grand train stations in design, Milano Centrale is the second-largest station in Italy – behind Roma Termini. In addition to being a hub for international travellers, the station offers regular daily service to cities throughout Italy. In fact, over 320,000 people pass through the station each day.
On the platform level of the station, there are shops and restaurants, as well as an information office for confused or curious travellers. There is also a Sala Freccia Club across from Track 21, for travellers with a Gold or Platinum CARTAFRECCIA card or an Executive or AV Salottino ticket. There is also a Sala Blu next to track four, for passengers with disabilities who need special assistance.
The lowest level of the station has shops and restaurants to kill time between trains. On the mezzanine and upper levels there are more shops and restaurants.
The ground level of Milano Centrale is where travellers can find a ticket office, the KiPoint left luggage facility, a post office, and most of the shops and restaurants in the station.
Travellers can also access the Centrale Metro station without leaving the building, and just outside of the train station are the boarding points for several city bus and tram lines.
