What is hs1?

HS1 (High Speed 1), also known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, is a high-speed railway line in the United Kingdom. It connects London St. Pancras station with the Channel Tunnel and the continent of Europe. HS1 was completed in 2007 and cost £5.8bn to build.

The line is 109 kilometers (68 miles) long and trains can reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) on the high-speed sections. HS1 has three stations: St. Pancras International in London, Ebbsfleet International in Kent, and Ashford International in Kent.

HS1 has greatly improved travel times and accessibility to Europe, with journey times from London to Paris taking just over two hours and London to Brussels taking just under two hours. The line has also helped to reduce carbon emissions by providing an alternative to air travel.

HS1 has been a success, with millions of passengers using the service each year. In 2019, it was announced that HS1 would be sold by the UK government to private investors for £1.9bn.