Brussels rail delay

Our rail expert, Andrew Sharp, ex-International Air Rail Organisation (IARO), reports that the direct rail link between Brussels Airport and the European quarter has been delayed.

Work started on the 1.2km long tunnel in 2006 and track-laying began in early 2014. The line was to be opened on 13 December 2015 after satisfactory completion of a major security exercise – deemed necessary particularly because the new line runs virtually underneath the Parliament building.  However, the terrorist attacks in Paris and their Belgian connection meant that the exercise could not be carried out as planned, so opening has been delayed, probably until 9 April.

This postponement has caused major complications for Belgian railways. They had planned to re-cast much of the Brussels suburban network, creating a Regional Express of 11 new services.

As well as the Regional Express, the route will be served by trains which formerly ran half-hourly between Charleroi and Brussels – Luxembourg station: these will be extended north to the airport. www.belgianrail.be/en

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