3.9 The Department decided to back the construction of the Link if it could be demonstrated that the estimated benefits would outweigh the estimated level of public sector financial support. The Department's stated objectives were:
a) to more than double the capacity of four trains per hour (three in the evening peak) available for international passenger railway services between London and the Channel Tunnel;
b) to reduce the journey time of those services between London and the Channel Tunnel by about half an hour to about 40 minutes;
c) to provide greater capacity and reduced journey times for domestic passengers; and
d) to contribute to the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.
3.10 The main benefits to justify the support arise from these objectives. Passengers will benefit from the increase in capacity and from the savings in journey times due to the increased speed of Eurostar and domestic services. Further, the Government estimates that benefits will arise from the regeneration of the Thames Gateway, through which the second stage of the Link will run. These objectives have not changed since the original deal was signed in 1996.