The announcement comes as the UK international rail market prepares for significant growth, with new operators like Virgin Trains, Trenitalia, and potentially Gemini Trains set to enter the market alongside Eurostar. A July 2026 report by Eurostar, "Fast Track to Growth: Boosting Britain through International High-Speed Rail," highlighted the economic benefits of expanding cross-border rail connections, including trade, tourism, and productivity.
Currently, London St Pancras International is the UK's sole operational international rail terminal, facing severe congestion with a capacity threshold of around 2,000 passengers per hour. With approximately 40% of the UK's built international station capacity lying idle at Ashford, Ebbsfleet, and Stratford, reactivating these existing stations is presented as the most rapid and cost-effective method to alleviate pressure on St Pancras and meet rising passenger demand.
Alexander Bienfait, Acting Chair of Bring Back Euro Trains, stated: "Investing in Stratford International is a logical and welcome step towards unlocking much-needed station capacity in London. However, true connectivity cannot end at the capital’s doorstep."
Diccon Spain, Spokesperson for Bring Back Euro Trains, added: "Kent's international stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet are fully built, world-class assets that remain completely unused. Whilst we are pleased to see the government's commitment to Stratford as a second London international station, we call on them to maintain that momentum and now deliver the return of international services to Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International. Both stations are uniquely positioned and ready to serve substantial demand. They also already have international agreements for juxtaposed border zones in place, something that will require legislation on both sides of the Channel to achieve at Stratford."
The campaign group estimates that Ashford and Ebbsfleet, with a combined capacity of 1,100 passengers per hour, could be reopened for an estimated £4 million each, significantly less than Stratford's £20 million. They argue that utilising this capacity would generate over half a billion pounds of new regional GVA annually, ease congestion, and provide direct European links for millions of passengers across the South East.
