"Matt Wheeler" wrote:

I can see one problem with this.... You suggest using the former
Eurostar paths to Ashford. Surely these paths will only be "available"
up to where the current Waterloo - CTRL line meets the CTRL, as the
actual Eurostar to St Pancras will be using the paths on the CTRL.

I would be astonished if there were any shortage of paths along the
CTRL. In fact I am astonished that you even suggested there might be!

Anyway, from Waterloo, you can cross over to Waterloo East and catch a
South Eastern service to Ashford, which, for the fast trains, are just
over an hour..

True. But I am suggesting higher quality trains that make direct
timetabled connections at Ashford rather than using existing trains
that are timetabled with other purposes in mind.