In the wake of French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit, the two governments have vowed to deepen collaboration on transport, including on efforts "to reduce barriers for potential new entrants looking to join the Cross-Channel rail passenger and freight markets".

It said: "The introduction of new entrants into these markets will bring a greater choice of services and lower fares."

The declaration also said growth of international rail markets would be key to "promoting green travel across Europe, growing our economies and bringing people closer together”.

Eurostar has enjoyed a monopoly on cross-Channel services since the tunnel opened in 1994. A barrier to competition has been the issue of maintenance facilities for train sets used on the route, but in April, the Office of Rail and Road ruled Eurostar must allow new operators access to its depot.

More operators would permit a greater choice of routes, with Virgin Trains, Spanish start-up Evolyn and a UK brand, Gemini Trains, keen to enter the market.

Eurostar said it “welcomes the UK-France declaration as a meaningful step toward further improving cross-Channel connectivity”.

It added: “The focus is now to invest €2 billion in 50 new trains and to grow direct services from London to Frankfurt and Geneva to reach an ambitious target of carrying 30 million passengers annually.
 
"We look forward to working closely with both governments to ensure the cross-Channel network can meet future demand and deliver more sustainable journeys across Europe."

Eurostar last week put a fifth daily service between London and Amsterdam, launching in December, on sale.