Plans to restore international rail services to Kent have moved a step closer after Virgin Trains was granted approval to operate through the Channel Tunnel — raising hopes of reviving services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Virgin’s application to share Temple Mills depot in east London with Eurostar, a key operational requirement for running trains into continental Europe.
Local leaders said the move could mark the beginning of Kent’s reconnection with Europe after international services were halted in 2020, when Eurostar withdrew stops at Ashford and Ebbsfleet following the pandemic.
‘Kent deserves to be connected’
Linden Kemkaran, leader of Kent County Council (KCC), said the decision sends a “clear signal that Kent matters”.
“The people of Kent deserve to be connected, and today, we’re one step closer,” she said. “This paves the way for competition — competition that has made clear its ambition to serve Kent again.”
Virgin has said it would stop at Ashford or Ebbsfleet if either station is reopened. The company aims to launch cross-Channel services by 2030, working with local authorities and stakeholders to explore the logistics of doing so.
Kemkaran added that restoring the international routes would deliver a “huge economic boost” for the region.
“There is a clear economic case for stopping in Kent — we have so much to offer visitors, and the benefits for local businesses and communities are enormous,” she said.
Local campaign gathers momentum
The Bring Back Euro Trains campaign, led by Diccon Spain, deputy leader of the Labour group on Ashford Borough Council, has gathered significant public support.
More than 82,000 people have signed a petition calling for international rail services to return to Kent.
Spain said he was confident that Ashford’s international terminal would reopen soon.
“It’s absolutely going to happen,” he said. “The prize is massive. If we can get services back, we’re looking at an estimated £2.7bn boost to tourism over the next five years.”
Reopening the station would cost around £4m, according to campaigners — a fraction of the projected long-term gains for the region.
Economic and political backing
The ORR’s approval has been welcomed across the political spectrum, with figures describing it as an important step toward levelling up regional transport links and stimulating growth.
Noel Ovenden, leader of Ashford Borough Council, said the decision could “unlock a new era” of competition and connectivity.
“This move could not only enable new operators who’ve expressed an interest in introducing international rail services, but also create the right conditions for the return of direct international trains to Kent,” he said.
“More competition means greater choice, lower fares, and new destinations — bringing significant benefits to Kent and the wider South East.”
Sojan Joseph, MP for Ashford, said he was “delighted” the right decision had been made.
“This should encourage operators to return to Ashford,” he said. “Competition in European travel benefits consumers, regional growth, and businesses in Kent and beyond. But this is not the end of the campaign — we still have work to do.”
Helena Dollimore, Labour MP for Hastings, echoed the sentiment, calling the move “a major step towards reopening the abandoned Ashford International terminal.”
“This is about more than trains — it’s about jobs, tourism, and reconnecting our communities with our European neighbours,” she said. “It would boost the Kent and Sussex economy by over £2.5bn. I urge Virgin Trains and Richard Branson to seize this opportunity.”
Government and industry response
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said the government was exploring plans for new depot capacity in the UK, supported by private investment, to help facilitate the return of cross-Channel services.
“We will continue to champion the reopening of Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations as a priority to restore full connectivity, support tourism, and boost growth across the region,” he said.
Eurostar, however, said it was still reviewing the ORR’s decision.
In a statement, the company said:
“We are considering our next steps to ensure we can continue to grow sustainably and serve our passengers effectively.”
Despite the optimism, Eurostar’s own data highlights the challenges ahead. In 2019, only 4% of passengers travelled from Ashford or Ebbsfleet, with growth stagnant over the decade prior. In contrast, St Pancras International saw passenger numbers rise by 20% during the same period.
Still, campaigners argue that renewed competition and fresh investment could change that trajectory.
As KCC put it: “The county’s voice has finally been heard.”
For Kent, after years of lobbying, the dream of international trains returning to its platforms may finally be edging closer to reality.
