'Metro' trains from Calais to Kent

A new cross-channel commuter train line could be running before the 2012 Olympics, it was claimed today.

The chairman of a French council claimed he was "in negotiations" with counterparts in Kent about a "metro" service from Lille to London. Dominique Dupilet, of Pas-de-Calais council, and a renowned self-publicist, said the plan would see trains calling at Calais and Ashford and help safeguard the Kent station. It has come under threat as Eurostar is more likely to stop at Ebbsfleet or Stratford International.

The proposed service would also run on the High Speed 1 line in England used by Eurostar and emerges a day after German train operator Deutsche Bahn announced interest in running direct services between London and Cologne and Frankfurt.

Kent County Council's cabinet member for environment Nick Chard said they were very supportive of the plan.