Stratford needs Eurostar, warns boss of Olympic mall

Olympic dream: an image of Eurostar trains at Stratford International
12 April 2012

The boss of the huge shopping centre project by the Olympic Park reignited fears today that Stratford International station will become a white elephant.

John Burton, development director of Westfield's £1.45 billion Stratford City, criticised Eurostar's refusal to stop at the £210 million station. Located 400 yards from the Olympic Stadium, it was finished in 2006. The first trains, Southeastern's high-speed Kent service, began calling there in December.

But Eurostar says trains going to and from France and Belgium will not stop at Stratford until after the 2012 Games at the earliest. Mr Burton said the decision made it an "international station without any international trains".

Writing in a Thames Gateway London Partnership report, he said domestic services were a "poor substitute" for Eurostar: "International commuters are essential in order to realise the vision of a major metropolitan centre for east London. Direct international services will be a key part of the legacy of the Olympics."

The report calls for continuing government investment in Crossrail and high-speed services.

At 1.9 million sq ft, Stratford City will be the largest urban shopping centre in Europe. The first phase of the development is due to open next year.

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