Eurostar is finally able to launch a direct train from Amsterdam to London, 18 months after its first nonstop London-Amsterdam service started.

The new service will begin operating from 15 December, unless the plans are scuppered by a no-deal Brexit.

The Dutch government has warned that, if the UK crashes out of the European Union without a deal on 31 October, it would “complicate” customs arrangements.

Prior to this latest agreement, passengers could travel direct from the British capital to Amsterdam in three hours and 55 minutes, but on the return journey were forced to take a Thalys train and change to the Eurostar at Brussels Midi after going through security and customs checks.

These checks will now be conducted at Rotterdam Central and Amsterdam Central instead, enabling a direct return service for the first time.

World's best train journeys Show all 10 1 /10 World's best train journeys World's best train journeys Belmond Andean Explorer Explore Peru with this luxury train service Belmond World's best train journeys Coast Starlight Gorgeous: take in the scenery on a train ride from Seattle to Los Angeles Amtrak World's best train journeys TranzAlpine See stunning views on this New Zealand train journey TranzAlpine World's best train journeys Rovos Rail This rail service takes you to the heart of Africa Rovos Rail World's best train journeys Interregional Portugal Explore all the beauty Portugal has to offer by train Interregional Portugal World's best train journeys Glacier Express Take in jaw-dropping views of Switzerland from a train Glacier Express World's best train journeys East Lancashire Railway Travelling back in time in northern England East Lancashire Railway World's best train journeys Durango & Silverton Enjoy one of America's most scenic train rides Durango & Silverton World's best train journeys Caledonian Sleeper Wake up to the beauty of Scotland with this overnight train Peter Devlin World's best train journeys Belmond Eastern & Oriental A breezy observation car on a luxury Asian train Belmond

A Eurostar representative told The Independent the brand is “looking forward to progressing the direct connection as soon as possible”.

The London-Amsterdam route has proved hugely popular for Eurostar. After launching the first service in April 2018, the company upped it to three trains a day to meet demand in June 2019.

The third daily train takes longer than the existing services due to the complications of finding suitable “paths” (the rail equivalent of airline slots).

Its scheduled time is four hours, seven minutes and includes a 17-minute wait at Brussels Midi station.

Mike Cooper, Eurostar’s chief executive, said of the increased number of services: “Our new route to the Netherlands has been met with strong demand from our customers, who increasingly value the ease, comfort and seamless experience of high-speed rail.”