Dutch rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), has said that Amsterdam Central will not be able to process cross-channel journeys due to a major renovation, meaning Eurostar services will be suspended for six months.
From June 2024 Eurostar services will run empty on the route to the Netherlands and will pick up passengers in Brussels heading to London.
Those wanting to head to Amsterdam or Rotterdam will have to take a train to Brussels and change on to a Eurostar service.
Nederlandse Spoorwegen said it is disappointing that it is not possible to provide services “despite all efforts.”
They added, “That is very disappointing because we have worked hard in recent years to make the Eurostar to London an attractive alternative to air travel.
“In order to keep the period in which there can be no secured departure from Amsterdam as short as possible, we are doing everything in our power we can to deliver the new Eurostar terminal as quickly as possible.
“It is now expected that this terminal will be put into use in January 2025.
“The good news is that many more passengers can depart from Amsterdam Centraal station by train via this new terminal.
“From 250 passengers per train now to 400 passengers per train as of January 2025, and later that year even 650 passengers per train.”
Eurostar Group chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave said: “Eurostar has always aimed to find a solution that would have the least possible impact on customers, the environment and its business. We acknowledge that a final decision has been made.
“We are pleased that the discussions have shortened the gap in services between Amsterdam and London from 12 to six months and we continue to work on reducing the inconvenience for passengers, local residents and the economy of Amsterdam and surrounding areas.
“It is very important that all the parties involved are responsible and supportive of each other to meet the deadlines.
“Our focus must now turn to how we can offer the best experience and journey connections for Eurostar customers in this period.
“As part of this work, we will still run services directly between London and Amsterdam one-way as a minimum.
“We will be working collaboratively in the coming weeks to further mitigate the impacts for Eurostar and its customers over the six-month gap and more information will be made available in due course.”
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