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| Three Kent councils push to bring Eurostar services back to Kent | Three Kent councils push to bring Eurostar services back to Kent |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Eurostar services have bypassed Ashford International since the Covid pandemic | Eurostar services have bypassed Ashford International since the Covid pandemic |
| Three local authorities are making another appeal for international rail services to be brought back to Kent. | Three local authorities are making another appeal for international rail services to be brought back to Kent. |
| Eurostar services have not stopped at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet international stations since 2020, when passenger numbers fell during the Covid-19 pandemic. | Eurostar services have not stopped at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet international stations since 2020, when passenger numbers fell during the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| On Friday leaders of Kent County Council and Ashford and Dartford borough councils gathered at Ashford to sign a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to fight for them to be restored. | |
| Eurostar said the situation will be reviewed in 2026. | Eurostar said the situation will be reviewed in 2026. |
| The three councils will also back proposals to allow operators other than Eurostar to run passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. | The three councils will also back proposals to allow operators other than Eurostar to run passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. |
| Other companies who have expressed an interest in running international services are Virgin, TrenItalia and a partnership between Gemini and Uber, with Kent and Sussex MPs backing the idea earlier in September. | Other companies who have expressed an interest in running international services are Virgin, TrenItalia and a partnership between Gemini and Uber, with Kent and Sussex MPs backing the idea earlier in September. |
| To do so they would need to be allowed access to the Temple Mills International Depot in Leyton, London, the only facility where Channel Tunnel trains can be serviced, and currently run by Eurostar. | To do so they would need to be allowed access to the Temple Mills International Depot in Leyton, London, the only facility where Channel Tunnel trains can be serviced, and currently run by Eurostar. |
| The Office of Road and Rail is due to take a decision in October on whether to allow other operators to use the depot. | The Office of Road and Rail is due to take a decision in October on whether to allow other operators to use the depot. |
| Other operators are seeking permission to run international rail services through the Channel Tunnel | Other operators are seeking permission to run international rail services through the Channel Tunnel |
| KCC leader Linden Kemkaran said: "Kent's residents and businesses have waited long enough. The infrastructure is here, the demand is real, and the benefits are huge - thousands of jobs, stronger trade, and hundreds of millions for our economy." | |
| Ashford Borough Council leader Noel Ovenden said: "Over 25 years of significant investment has ensured Ashford International remains ready, keeping alive the opportunity to support European travel. | |
| "Delivering on international services by re-opening this gateway to Europe holds the key to unlocking the benefits of that investment, not just in Ashford, but for the whole of Kent, wider South East region and the UK economy." | |
| Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council added: "We're absolutely convinced that the return of services represents a major commercial opportunity, as demand for international rail travel grows. Ebbsfleet has all the potential to play a key role in the European rail network and stimulate further regeneration in the area." | |
| And Vince Maple, who leads Medway Council, said: "Restoring international services to two already established railway stations in Kent would support a critical sector in our economy as well as thousands of jobs and provide climate-friendly travel for Kent and Medway residents to venture into Europe." | |
| The return of services is also being backed by French business leaders and politicitians | |
| A 75,000-signature petition calling for the return of international services has also been collected. | |
| Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy, who was at the event, said: "It is clear that demand for international rail services has bounced back since the pandemic and is now at record levels, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable connections to Europe. | |
| "We know there is potential for much more and I want to see major changes over the coming years that mark a new chapter for international travel which we are committed to unlocking. | |
| "It will take some time to get here, but this Government is doing everything it can to make sure these stations are served." | |
| The bid is also being supported by French politicians and business leaders. | |
| Local authorities said both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet remain ready for use by international services. | |
| A Eurostar spokesperson said: "Our Kent stations will remain closed throughout 2025 and will be reviewed in 2026. | A Eurostar spokesperson said: "Our Kent stations will remain closed throughout 2025 and will be reviewed in 2026. |
| "We understand that this may be frustrating, and we want to stress that we are closely monitoring the situation and, should there be any changes, we will provide an update." | "We understand that this may be frustrating, and we want to stress that we are closely monitoring the situation and, should there be any changes, we will provide an update." |
| Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. | Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. |