§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the maximum speed of channel tunnel passenger trains through the tunnel under Blue Bell Hill, Kent when the channel tunnel rail link route he announced on 24 January,Official Report, columns 19–34, becomes operational.
§ Mr. FreemanThis is an operational matter for the railway operators concerned, in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive. The presently assumed maximum timetabled speed of trains between the channel tunnel and London is 225 km/h—140 mph. Not all trains will run at the maximum speed. Freight and commuter services may operate more slowly than international passenger trains.