On Saturday, 28 September, Stephen wrote to the Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill, to ask about the prospects for international rail services to Stratford International Station.
Stratford International Station opened in 2009. Its construction allowed for London to bid 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and aided in the large-scale investment that Stratford received as a result. However, international trains never reached Stratford, despite the original plans.
On Saturday, Stephen wrote to the Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill, to ask after the prospects for international rail coming to Stratford. Stephen pointed out that demand for cross-channel rail travel is growing and that St Pancras faces capacity constraints that could be reduced by permitting passengers to embark at Stratford International.
“Stratford International has been a matter of interest for me ever since I chaired Newham Council’s Planning Committee in 1987,” Stephen said.
“It has already been part of the economic transformation of Stratford and I firmly believe that international rail coming to Stratford would bring huge benefits to Newham.”
Stephen has campaigned for international rail to come to Starford International since he chaired Newham Council’s Planning Committee in 1987. He also raised the issue in his maiden speech as an MP in 1994.