Shops plan for Waterloo International

Waterloo's Eurostar terminal could be transformed into a shopping complex.

Waterloo International, the award-winning station for trains to Paris and Brussels, will cease operating in 2007 when a new terminal opens at St Pancras.

A study commissioned by the Department of Transport has now been ordered to identify its " possible future uses" including turning it into shops, offices and flats.

In a statement the department said: "The study will look at possible opportunities for commercial use in case it becomes clear that certain areas of the station will not be needed for rail purposes."

South West Trains, which serves Waterloo, said it could sharply reduce delays if it was allowed to use the five Eurostar platforms.