Policy paper

UK and France: transport connectivity declaration

Published 15 July 2025

In recognition of their responsibilities as joint stewards of the Channel and Channel Tunnel, as well as the importance transport plays in our joint growth ambitions and people-to-people connections, the United Kingdom and France have agreed to deepen their collaboration on transport.  

France and the United Kingdom restated their long-term commitment to taking ambitious action at national and global levels to accelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector and ensure the welfare of the transport working communities. They will pursue their cooperation and join efforts to improve connectivity between our countries and promote active mobility.

As a symbol of their enduring partnership, France and the United Kingdom are pleased to announce the introduction of a new legal/regulatory framework applicable to both the Cross Channel Rail infrastructure and operators following the UK’s departure from the EU. This new framework enables the long-term smooth continuation of our vital cross-border connections that facilitate an estimated 26% by value of trade in goods between the United Kingdom and EU and 27% of French exports to the UK, in addition to over 20 million passengers per year. The recent signing of the fourth and last agreement of this new legal/regulatory framework marks the culmination of years of intensive work and close cooperation between both our countries.

France and the United Kingdom agree that work must continue to support the development of thriving and competitive international rail services markets, given the environmental, social, economic and strategic benefits of this transport mode. The introduction of new entrants into these markets will bring a greater choice of services and lower fares.

France and the United Kingdom have, therefore, agreed to continue close collaboration to examine how to reduce barriers for potential new entrants looking to join the Cross-Channel rail passenger and freight markets. The growth of international rail markets is key in promoting green travel across Europe, growing our economies and bringing people closer together.

France and the United Kingdom reaffirm maritime transport decarbonisation as a joint priority with shared goals to reduce maritime emissions to zero by 2050, taking actions both domestically in our own countries and through the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as reducing the impacts of shipping on the wider environment.

Developing a strong framework for maritime decarbonisation on both sides of the Channel will enable industry to make the changes required for the transition, which may include industry-led projects such as green corridors to demonstrate how new fuels, technologies and approaches will define the industry in the future. Both countries will share best practice on port and maritime decarbonisation policy as it develops, as well as the impacts of shipping on the wider environment.

They will work together on preparations for the October session of the IMO to ensure that global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping are adopted, and will also support the adoption of the North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area as a significant step in reducing air pollution from ships.

France and the United Kingdom will cooperate to instil market confidence in electric vehicles by showcasing reliable charging corridors between the 2 countries. To this end, they will work on visualising a London to Paris corridor, highlighting the charging opportunities for all vehicles, including heavy-duty vehicles. They will maintain a bilateral dialogue to exchange good practices on charging and grid adaptation to support the shift toward full decarbonisation of road transport.

Noting the positive progress made since 2023, and that both countries have introduced mirroring legislation protecting seafarers against exploitation, France and the United Kingdom again restate their strong commitment to promote and protect the welfare of maritime workers, including their wages and working conditions.

Both countries reaffirm their determination to pursue a cooperative and coordinated approach to seafarer welfare internationally and to the effective implementation of the measures including through collaboration on enforcement, and to work towards aligning their respective frameworks as closely as possible, exploring additional provisions where needed. They will work together with the shared objective of delivering lasting improvements for seafarers and maritime safety.