Ashford Borough Council has welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to ask the Transport Secretary to investigate the possibility of reintroducing international rail services to Ashford. The commitment from Prime Minister Andy Burnham follows a description by Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore of the service's return as a "no-brainer", with the potential to inject £2.7 billion into Kent and Sussex and draw over 500,000 annual visitors.
International passenger services from Ashford were suspended in 2020 and have not resumed. While Eurostar has stated it has no current plans to reinstate stops in Kent, it has acknowledged that future operators might reconsider the roles of Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations. Prospective operator Virgin intends to launch cross-Channel services connecting London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam from 2030, with up to 20 daily return services, stating: "If these stations are reopened, Virgin will stop in Kent."
Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, described the development as a "significant milestone" in the campaign to reinstate international rail services. "We have consistently made the case to government, the rail industry and other key partners that restoring these services would deliver real benefits for Ashford, Kent and the wider South East," he stated. "It is extremely encouraging to see the issue now being considered at the highest level of government. This campaign has built real momentum, but we are not taking our foot off the pedal. We will continue pressing the case until international trains are stopping at Ashford once again."
The campaign has garnered over 85,000 petition signatures, and more than 20,000 individuals have completed a demand survey intended to demonstrate a viable market for international stops in Kent. Residents, businesses, and supporters are encouraged to complete and share the survey to bolster the argument for trains to resume stopping at Ashford.
