As part of the government’s
EU transition programme, the Department for Transport, working with colleagues in other government departments, has been in discussion with France on bilateral arrangements to support the continuation of cross-border services, which provide significant economic and social benefit to the United Kingdom.
While other bilateral agreements remain under discussion in relation to the Channel Tunnel, the critical agreement relates to the recognition of operator licences, which are needed to operate rail services. Agreement in principle
has now been reached with France at a technical level, subject to final legal checks, and the agreement is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, with ratification through the