Amsterdam station revamp threatens Eurostar service to London

Eurostar’s direct train services to London could end in 2024 when major work starts on revamping Amsterdam’s central station, junior infrastructure minister Vivianne Heijnen has told MPs.

There will, the minister said, be no room for Eurostar’s dedicated platform, which includes a lounge with security and passport controls, and there is no easy alternative, Heijnen said in her briefing.

The situation, the minister said, is unacceptable. ‘Eurostar is important for international train travel and for the shift from air to train travel over shorter distances,’ she said.

Rail company NS and track operator ProRail have been urged to do ‘all they can’ to solve the issue.

ProRail told local broadcaster AT5 it is doing all it can to find an alternative location and that it hopes to have found a solution by the end of the summer.

In the long term, Eurostar services and other international train traffic will be moved from the main city centre station to Station Zuid, in the Zuidas business district, which is also being expanded.

Eurostar currently offers three direct services a day to London and is planning to introduce a fourth in September.