Burnham throws weight behind international trains stopping at second major London station

Writing in The Standard, the Prime Minister outlined how he hopes that cross-Channel trains halting at Stratford International Station will boost investment in this part of the capital and far beyond across Britain.As east London is increasingly seen as a growth area, he said: “The transformation since the Olympics has been extraordinary. “But alongside that success are communities facing some of the deepest deprivation - not just in London, but nationally.”Andy Burham is backing new international rail servicesAFP/GettyThe former Mayor of Greater Manchester added: “There’s so much more we could be doing to bring in opportunities and investment to that area, especially through Stratford International, which - despite its name - has never had an international train stop there.“So, through No10 North, we’re going to look at opening up international rail routes that will bring in more investment.”The Mayor of London said: “After lobbying on the issue for many years, I’m delighted that the Government will help us to bring cross-Channel rail services to Stratford International – making this station truly international for the first time. “It will open up huge opportunities for jobs, investment and tourism.” Stratford International Station’s cross-Channel platformsLSOne in three international trains could halt at Stratford, with St Pancras International remaining the capital’s terminal station for these services.Read MoreThe proposed second stop is supported by businesses including Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which operates the giant Westfield shopping complexes in east and west London.Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin is taking on Eurostar for running rail services to the ContinentVirgin Trains/PA WireThe agreement covers the period between October 1 2030 to December 31 2040 and relates to tracks owned and run by London St Pancras High Speed.East Ham MP Sir Stephen Timms first raised the possibility of international trains stopping at Stratford when he was chairman of Newham planning committee in the late 1980s.