What is the Channel Tunnel Rail Link – CTRL?
The CTRL is the first major new railway to be constructed in the UK for over a century and the first high-speed railway. The 109km track of the CTRL will stretch from St. Pancras, central London to the Channel Tunnel complex at Cheriton in Kent, connecting Britain directly with Europe’s expanding high-speed rail network and significantly reducing journey times. The CTRL has been built in two separate sections. Section 1 runs for 70km from the Channel Tunnel through the county of Kent. Section 2 links to Section 1 and continues for a further 39km onto St. Pancras Station in London. The CTRL will serve the new international stations along its route at Stratford in east London and Ebbsfleet in north Kent and the existing Ashford International station. CTRL will provide the catalyst for the substantial redevelopment around St. Pancras and Stratford stations.
