Kent Councils and UK Government Back Plans to Restore International Rail Services

Kent County Council, local authorities, MPs, and businesses are united in demanding the return of international rail services to Kent stations like Ashford and Ebbsfleet, which have been dormant since Eurostar ceased operations there in 2020 due to financial struggles amid the pandemic. A memorandum of understanding has been signed to formalize this commitment, bolstered by a petition with over 74,000 signatures, reflecting strong public demand. The UK government supports new operators, including Virgin Trains and others, eager to restore cross-Channel services and has urged the rail regulator to facilitate access to the necessary infrastructure, such as the Temple Mills depot. Restoring these services promises significant economic benefits, potentially generating billions in revenue and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors over five years. Eurostar maintains the stops are financially unviable and plans to review the situation in 2026, but new entrants and government officials emphasize competition as the best path forward for Kent's international rail connectivity. This collective push underscores the region's strategic importance and the urgency of reconnecting Kent to mainland Europe via high-speed rail.