Eurostar: Chunnel passenger numbers will increase

The opening of the first section of the Channel Tunnel rail link was a boost to passenger numbers, a spokesman for Eurostar told politics.co.uk.

Increasing numbers of people are choosing the tunnel over short-haul flights, and the company's market share continues to rise, he insisted.

He was responding to a report from the public accounts committee saying the lack of passengers using Eurostar meant the economic case for the second part of rail link, due to be completed by next year, "remains marginal".

However, the spokesman said Eurostar was expecting a further boost to passenger numbers in the second phase of the rail link, when the terminus will be moved to St.Pancras.

This would significantly cut journey times, he said, and encourage more people to switch from planes to trains, he said.