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Deutsche Bahn to forge ahead with plans for London to Frankfurt high-speed rail link

German rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, has said it is planning to launch a new high-speed rail link between London and Frankfurt within the next three years, strengthening ties between the two cities in the wake of Brexit.

The new route would see travellers completing the 400 mile journey in just five hours once operational, with Eurotunnel Chairman, Jacques Gounon, telling The Times that the service could be running as early as 2020.

A spokesperson for the operator said that the rail firm was waiting for the delivery of more rolling stock before commencing with the link between London and the German financial capital, after it was given permission to implement the high-speed line in 2013.

However, Deutsche Bahn did admit that routes to Belgium and northern France would be prioritised first once more new high-speed trains became available, hinting that the operator would be focusing on destinations in the EU over London in light of the UK’s exit negotiations.

In his comments to The Times, Gounon said he was waiting for the new Chief Executive of Deutsche Bahn to be announced before progressing with negotiations for the new route.

He said: ““I am waiting for his appointment in order to meet him to re-launch the Frankfurt to London routes through Deutsche Bahn, but it will take time.

“It is something like two to three years, so we are dealing with 2020 and beyond that. I am quite sure that it will happen but it takes time of course.”