A UK train station that lost its direct routes to Europe during the pandemic could soon welcome them back.
Eurostar rival Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) said they were likely to restart train routes from Ashford International Station when they launch.
Eurostar rival Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) said they want to relaunch stops in Ashford[/caption]
Eurostar only operates from London St Pancras, having stopped Ashford in 2020[/caption]
The Italian train operator revealed plans earlier this year to take on Eurostar with UK-Europe routes.
And it has since confirmed a £1billion investment into the UK economy which would include reopening the Kent station.
Initial plans include an “Innovation Hub” in Ashford International Station by early 2026, the Times reports.
The first trains to Europe will then launch in 2029 from London to Paris, which includes a stop in Ashford.
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy also backed the return of European connections at Ashford International.
He said earlier this year: “I firmly believe that competition offers the best prospect of international services returning to Kent stations.”
Eurostar scrapped all trains from Ashford back in 2020, as well as trains at Ebbsfleet International.
Despite a campaign with more than 75,000 signatures for trains to return to Ashford, Eurostar has yet to confirm if they will.
Initial suggestions of reopening it in 2026 have been quashed.
The Eurostar has been the only railway line to use the Channel Tunnel since 1994.
Ashford’s international terminal has been left empty ever since[/caption]
However, other operators have since revealed plans to take them on.
Virgin has revealed plans to launch trains from the UK to Europe by 2030.
This would include routes from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam – similar destinations to Eurostar.
Another rival is Gemini Trains, who has teamed up with Uber.
The new train operator recently bought 10 high speed trains ahead of plans to launch from both London and Ebbsfleet to Paris and Brussels by 2029.
Evolyn, a new start up, expressed plans for London-Paris trains back in 2023, with initial plans to launch next year.
And Eurostar themselves has revealed huge expansion plans, with potential new European destinations.
When it comes to France, it could relaunch train routes to Marseille and Bordeaux, having previously once stopped there.
And the CCO said they could also one day stop in cities in both Germany and Switzerland.
Why trains need to return to Ashford International
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey weighs in.
Living just down the road from Ashford International Station, it is baffling to me how trains to Europe are yet to return.
It is certainly a depressing sight, as I leave the station, seeing the huge international terminal left abandoned.
The town needs the return of trains to Europe, not just because it more than doubles the time for Kent travellers.
Locals have said that they have lost millions in business since the axing of the route in 2020, which once connected the UK to Paris, Brussels and Disneyland.
While investment will be needed to install the new EES systems that were rolled out over the weekend, it would also ease the pressure points at London St Pancras, which can see huge queues at the Eurostar terminal.
It is great news that FS has revealed plans for a 2029 launch – and it can’t come too soon.
This could include places like Cologne and and Frankfurt, as well as Geneva and Zurich.
Here are four Eurostar routes that have been scrapped over the years.
Ashford International could get the new European trains by 2029[/caption]
