THE RAILWAY network in an affordable European capital is set to benefit from a huge multi-billion revamp.
Billions will be pumped into Prague‘s railway network, with its central station getting a £6.1billion facelift.
Správa železnic, the country’s infrastructure manager, has revealed plans to overhaul the capital’s railway network.
The city’s central station will get a new cultural zone and a square in a bid to make the area more attractive.
Digital images show a light, open, structure, which makes the most of the park space that sits in front of the station.
A new two-level rail hub will also be built, with 6.5miles of underground tunnels also being laid down under the plans.
Two underground tunnels will intersect, with services calling at new stations in the capital, including Karlín, Wenceslas Square, Karlovo Náměstí and Florenc.
Up to 16 trains per hour will run through both tunnels.
The tunnels will feature escalator-equipped passageways, which will lead to a departure hall in the main train station.
It means the city’s central station will be able to more easily separate its long-distance and regional services.
Zdeněk Hřib, who is the first Deputy Mayor of Prague for Transport, said: “This project brings much-needed rail capacity right into the city centre, creating several new strategic stops that will reduce walking distances for passengers.
“The strengthened railway network will also alleviate pressure on the busiest public transport routes and divert some road traffic, reducing emissions and noise levels.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Cheers and Beers: Europe’s Top 8 Cities for Affordable Pints” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6348381098112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Prague Central Station first opened to the public in 1871 and is located 15 minutes from the Old Town Square.
The huge train station has been renovated several times, with it being expanded in both 1972 and 1979.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D105874%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]It is not yet known when the renovation will be finished or when the routes will open to the public.
Prague is often considered to be one of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe thanks to its £1.25 beers and cheap hotels.
The country also happens to be the birthplace of both Budweiser and Pilsner, as well as many other hearty beers.
Visitors can hop on beer brewery tours to learn more about the country’s ties to the alcoholic beverage.
Other main attractions in the city include Prague Castle, which is located right next to the world’s poshest Starbucks.
The Charles Bridge is another must-visit site – it gets very busy during the day so it’s best to visit early in the morning.
Prague’s Astronomical clock, which strikes every hour, is located in the Old Town square and is synonymous with the European capital.
Elsewhere in Europe, a 540-mile high speed train line, will join cities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by the 2030s.
A new futuristic train station recently opened in Belgium, which looks more like something from Star Trek.
Mons Station was first announced in 2001, and opened earlier this year.
Costing £384million to build, it was designed by Santiago Calatrava, who also created the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
And here’s everything you need to know about Virgin launching international trains to Europe.
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