Stephen has welcomed signs that Virgin is considering stopping future international rail services at Stratford International, describing the proposal as a major opportunity for East London.
The development follows approval by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for Virgin to access track capacity for planned services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030. The approval marks another significant step in Virgin's plans to introduce competition on routes currently dominated by Eurostar.
Stephen has campaigned for many years for international rail services to stop at Stratford International as well as St Pancras International. He believes a Stratford stop would improve access to continental Europe for residents and businesses across East London while supporting further regeneration in the area.
Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Stephen said:
"I welcome the prospect of new operators. One of them, Gemini, has been very clear in its commitment to stopping at Stratford. I would urge Virgin to stop at Stratford too. It's a big and fast-growing commercial opportunity. International services at Stratford will, in turn, promote regeneration in East London."
Stephen's support for international services at Stratford stretches back decades. He first proposed the idea when he was Chair of Newham's Planning Committee in the late 1980s and has repeatedly raised the issue in recent years. As passenger numbers at St Pancras continue to grow, he has argued that Stratford International offers a ready-made opportunity to improve capacity and connectivity.
A Stratford stop would provide direct rail access to Europe from the heart of East London, benefiting local residents, attracting investment, supporting tourism and strengthening the area's economic growth. The proposal has also attracted support from major local stakeholders, including Westfield Stratford City.