Chunnel link fares set to rise by £600

Tens of thousands of London rail commuters face ticket price rises of up to 35 per cent, it was revealed today.

For many it will be an extra £600 a year on the cost of a season ticket.

The "premium" prices will be levied on passengers using the new highspeed, 140mph trains on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to commute into St Pancras from Kent.

The supplements of between 20 per cent and 35 per cent - on top of existing ticket prices - will apply if they want to use the dedicated service when it opens in four years.

Commuters from Ebbsfleet-face the highest charges. An annual ticket now costs £1,696 from Gravesend to London. But to use the new CTRL trains will cost an extra £593.60 a year.

From the Kent Coast where an annual season costs £2,912, commuters will have to pay £508.80 extra. From Ashford - annual fare £2,800 - they face an increase of 20 per cent, an extra £560.

The new fare structure is revealed in papers today sent to bidders shortlisted to take over South Eastern Trains.