Abstract
The Channel Tunnel Railway Link (CTRL), now called High Speed 1, is the first high-speed railway constructed in the UK, significantly reducing the journey time from 3h to 2h15 for London-Paris Eurostar passengers and offering a potential for freight use. HS1 Ltd is the organization that owns the assets of the CTRL, such as the stations along the route. Apart from providing faster links between Great Britain and continental Europe, the project diverts Eurostar traffic away from the conventional rail network. The new line caters for Eurostar traffic, a new high-speed service between London and Kent along with freight trains. The new line crosses the Thames and the east of London via a tunnel.
