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(BUTTON) Search with google * Make a contribution * Subscribe * (BUTTON) International edition + switch to the UK edition + switch to the US edition + switch to the Australia edition * Search jobs * Dating * Holidays * Digital Archive * Discount Codes * The Guardian app * Video * Podcasts * Pictures * Newsletters * Today's paper * Inside the Guardian * The Observer * Guardian Weekly * Crosswords * Facebook * Twitter * Search jobs * Dating * Holidays * Digital Archive * Discount Codes * UK * UK politics * Education * Media * Society * Law * Scotland * Wales * Northern Ireland (BUTTON) More Rail transport This article is more than 1 year old Train operators hope to launch direct London-Bordeaux route This article is more than 1 year old High-speed trains would take just over four hours to complete journey between British capital and south-western French city Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent @GwynTopham Mon 30 Apr 2018 14.15 BST Last modified on Mon 30 Apr 2018 22.00 BST * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email Cityscape of Bordeaux in France [ ] Bordeaux. Rail operators believe the direct route would be a viable competitor to air travel on a route used by 1.2 million plane passengers a year Photograph: marcociannarel/Getty Images/iStockphoto Direct trains linking London and the French wine capital of Bordeaux in just over four hours could run within two years, according to high-speed rail operators. The prospect of 200mph trains whisking UK travellers straight to south-west France has come a step closer after rail firms on both sides of the Channel said they were agreeing plans to develop the service, which would bypass Paris to join the recently completed line south of Tours. Eurostar, which recently started direct services from London to Amsterdam, has in the past discussed such a route, but its network development has been slowed by logistical difficulties - particularly border controls. The collaboration by operators of the different high-speed rail tracks, to agree routes, timetable slots and clear red tape, could in theory allow Eurostar or another train company to start services in two years’ time. However, passport checks are likely to remain an issue without further government agreement. Rail operators believe that the direct route, connecting city centres, would be a viable competitor to air travel on a route used by 1.2 million plane passengers a year. HS1, the firm that operates Britain’s only existing high-speed tracks from St Pancras to the start of the Channel tunnel, said it was looking at developing direct routes to Geneva and Frankfurt in a similar way. It is working with Eurotunnel and the operators of the French infrastructure, SNCF Réseau and Lisea, on the Bordeaux route. Dyan Crowther, the chief executive of HS1 Ltd, said: “As we’ve seen with the recent introduction of the Eurostar London-Amsterdam service, there’s a real demand for international train services to provide a comfortable and better-connected service, especially for leisure journeys. “This is the first time that railway operators have collaborated in this way and saves the train operator having to do a lot of legwork. The route is almost ready for a train operator to turn up and turn the key as soon as the UK and French governments agree on border controls. With the right commitment, we could be looking at new services in the next couple of years.” Topics * Rail transport * Rail travel * France * London * news * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on WhatsApp * Share on Messenger * Reuse this content Most popular * UK * UK politics * Education * Media * Society * Law * Scotland * Wales * Northern Ireland * News * Opinion * Sport * Culture * Lifestyle IFRAME: /email/form/footer/today-uk + Contact us + Complaints & corrections + SecureDrop + Work for us + Privacy policy + Cookie policy + Terms & conditions + Help + All topics + All writers + Digital newspaper archive + Facebook + Twitter + Advertise with us + Search UK jobs + Dating + Discount Codes Support The Guardian Available for everyone, funded by readers Contribute Subscribe Back to top © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 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