THE growing French antagonism to the prospect of Eurostar buying German-built trains may soon involve the European Commission, it is reported. The government in Paris and French train builder Alstom are fighting Eurostar's proposal to buy Siemens trains, arguing that they would not be safe.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn is claiming that a test run of an ICE through the Tunnel and a trial evacuation was successful.

The weekend journey under the English Channel included a safety exercise in which 300 people were evacuated. A DB spokesman said the test had been one of a number which will be needed if public services between London and Germany are to begin in late 2013.

An ICE set is due to arrive at St Pancras International tomorrow, where it will be greeted by transport minister Philip Hammond.

The French government is unhappy about the prospect of DB services through the Tunnel, but is reserving most of its ammunition for Eurostar's plan to buy ten Siemens Velaro-D sets for a reported 525 million Euros. A mockup of one of the trains went on display in London earlier this month, and Eurostar is hoping to introduce them on new routes to destinations such as Amsterdam, Geneva and Lyon from 2014.

The present Eurostar fleet is not suitable, on technical grounds, for service in continental countries other than France and Belgium.

The French state operator SNCF owns 55 per cent of Eurostar International, but the Board nonetheless voted to proceed with the Siemens deal.

This decision may now be examined by the European Commission, who are set to hear French arguments that Siemens trains would be unsafe for service through the Tunnel, a claim vigorously opposed by Deutsche Bahn and now, it seems, Eurostar as well.

Competition on the High Speed route to London has been possible since the start of this year, when new rules allowing international open access came into force, ending the monopoly which Eurostar had enjoyed since 1994.

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