A new record-breaking trip this week as a fully-loaded test run was made using the new but uncompleted Eurostar terminal at London St Pancras and the new line under the East of London to the Channel Tunnel and down to Paris - just 2hours and 4 minutes. (actually it ran from Paris to London, but I assume similar speeds are possible heading south). The current run from Waterloo is two hours and 35 minutes - and scheduled services from St Pancras should be 2 hours 15 minutes city centre to city centre, with similar time improvements to Lille and Brussels.
The new route is due to open on November 14th 2007 with a new station just off the M25 at Ebbsfleet near Dartford opening on 19 November 2007. Eventually there will also be a new International Station at Stratford in East London.
The new service and timings will make rail travel to Paris and much of France a more attractive option - and the move to St Pancras will make life much easier for rail connections from the north and midlands - St Pancras being within 5 minutes walk of both Kings Cross and Euston, and not much further from Marylebone.
Ebbsfleet will also suit car travellers from the North and East in particular.
There is a lot of background and useful information on the Eurostar website with maps of the route etc.
