France attracts more rail travellers

More consumers from the UK are travelling to France on the train, new figures have revealed.

According to Eurostar, passenger numbers during the first quarter of the year are 21.3 per cent higher than the amount recorded 12 months earlier.

This was said to be partly because of its new high-speed rail link between Paris and London, which has made the French capital accessible in just two hours and 20 minutes.

However, reduced journey times were not the only attraction of the new service to consumers, Eurostar added.

Richard Brown, chief executive of the firm, said the railways are increasingly being seen as an eco-friendly alternative to flying to France.

He commented: "We don't have all the answers, but we are chipping away at reducing our environmental impact and we will keep at it right across the business."

Mr Brown added that both Eurostar and its customers have a "duty" to try and reduce their carbon footprint.

Earlier this month, Virgin Trains said "more and more" people are using the railway as a means of getting to destinations they might have previously gone to by car or plane.