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Rail operator Eurostar has announced that it saw record results in 2007, the year that it introduced the new High Speed 1 line in south-east England.

The company carried a record 8.26m travellers last year, which was a 5.1% increase on 2006, while ticket sales increased 15.5% to reach a value of £599m in 2007.

Eurostar said that the option of faster journeys was one of the drivers of faster growth. In the period between 14 November, when the High Speed 1 line was opened, and 31 December, the operator saw an 11% increase in passengers on the same period in 2006.

Trains operated by Eurostar also managed a 91.5% level of punctuality throughout the year.

Richard Brown, chief executive of the company, said: 'The launch of Eurostar services on High Speed 1 has begun a new era in short-haul travel between the UK and mainland Europe.

He added: 'We expect to see this growth continue throughout 2008 as the impact of the new through fares from across the UK drives growth in the number of travellers using Eurostar from towns and cities north and south of London.'

Through tickets went on sale on 14 November, connecting 68 UK towns and cities to Paris and Brussels.

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