Latest news with #AshfordInternational
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Reform UK leader moans about Eurostar skipping stations without mentioning why
The cross-channel train service used to stop at both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations in Kent - but company bosses have a good reason why they stopped A Reform UK council leader moaned about Eurostar not stopping at two train stations - but didn't mention that a major reason they don't is down to Brexit. The cross-channel train service used to stop at both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations in Kent. But services stopped during the pandemic and never restarted. Eurostar bosses have said they want to bring the services back to Kent, but list Brexit among the main reasons they can't afford to. This week, Kent Council's Reform UK leader Linden Kemkaran gave a speech outlining her priorities for the region. She pledged to host an event to lure the train firm back to the region - promising to serve 'delicious Kentish food and wine, and show Eurostar exactly what they are missing.' Eurostar is due to reconsider whether to restart services stopping at the two stations this year. But in 2023, the firm's General Secretary, Gareth Williams, said new Brexit border checks 'pose a serious risk' to the company's business. Even passengers who use e-gates at the main St Pancras hub need to have their passport stamped separately, causing huge queues at the station and forcing some trains to run with seats unsold. Mr Williams said the pressure on border capacity had 'forced some really difficult commercial choices.'
Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Train ticket prices to Europe could drop by a third
Train ticket prices to Europe are set to fall by a third and international stations in Kent could reopen as Eurostar faces competition. Italy's state railway has become the latest operator to announce plans to run trains through the Channel tunnel from 2029. Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), which has a 30 per cent stake in Avanti West Coast, is exploring running trains direct to Lyons and Marseilles in France as well as Milan in northern Italy. The operator is also evaluating stops at Ashford International, which was previously served by Eurostar. Services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International were suspended in 2020 when the pandemic halted travel but they never returned to the schedule, with Eurostar blaming post-Brexit red tape. There are now three operators
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
The Southeastern trains cancelled or replaced by buses this Easter weekend
Several Southeastern trains will be cancelled, diverted, or replaced by buses this Easter weekend. The changes are due to engineering work or seasonal changes. These will affect trains from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 17 to April 21). We have outlined and simplified the details so you can plan your journey this Easter weekend. Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 18 to April 21): Engineering work is taking place between Canterbury West and Minster, closing all lines. Trains between London Charing Cross and Ramsgate via Ashford International will only run between London Charing Cross and Canterbury West. Trains between London St Pancras International and Margate via Canterbury West will only run between London St Pancras International and Canterbury West. Trains between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate via Dover Priory are not affected and will stop additionally at Thanet Parkway. On Sunday, these trains will be extended to run to and from Margate, calling additionally at Broadstairs. Good Friday and Easter Saturday (April 18 and April 19): Engineering work is taking place between Grove Park and Bromley North, closing all lines. As a result, replacement buses will run between Grove Park and Bromley North, calling at Sundridge Park. Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (April 20 and April 21): Engineering work is taking place at Lewisham, closing all lines. On Sunday, trains between London Victoria and Dartford will not run. Services between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Bexleyheath will be diverted to run via Sidcup and will not stop at Lewisham. On Monday, trains between London Victoria and Gravesend, and between London Charing Cross and Gravesend via Bexleyheath will not run. Services between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Bexleyheath will be diverted to run via Sidcup and will not stop at Lewisham Also on Monday, trains between London Cannon Street and Dartford via Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal will be diverted between London Bridge and Charlton to run via Greenwich. Trains between London Charing Cross and Hayes will not stop at Lewisham. Trains between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Sidcup will not stop at Lewisham. Trains between London Charing Cross and Sevenoaks will not call at Lewisham. Replacement buses will run between New Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath calling at all stations.
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wine industry calls for Kent Eurostar resumption
The wine industry in Kent has joined calls for the reintroduction of Eurostar services stopping in the county. Rail services linking the UK to Europe have not stopped at purpose-built stations at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since March Barbour, owner of Woodchurch Vineyard, said: "Everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry knows how important the Eurostar service in Kent was and would be again if it reopened."Eurostar said it was committed to "an open, transparent, and ongoing dialogue about the future of operations at Kent stations". The rail company has said it would not reinstate stopping services at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet stations until at least leaders in Kent have backed calls for Eurostar to return to the county. Woodchurch Vineyard is a small business with just under 10 acres of land. They welcome people on tours throughout the year from around the 50% of their income comes from tours and wine tasting. Mr Barbour said: "It's really important for us to get as many people into the county as possible so they can enjoy our hospitality and hopefully take some wine away with them."The terminal opening in Ashford again would give the impression from a marketing point of view of Kent becoming a real hub for international travel." Chapel Down, near Tenterden, is one of the largest producers of English Donaghay-Spire, head winemaker, said: "We welcome the reopening of the Eurostar terminal at Ashford because it would allow more people from the continent to visit us. "As we get bigger and our wines get better we want to tell that story more widely and more globally."There is absolutely no reason to rush through Kent. It is a destination in itself." A Eurostar spokesperson said: "We will need to closely assess the impact of the EU's new Entry-Exit System (EES) which will require a focused allocation of resources at our busiest stations, particularly for French border controls, to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for our passengers.""We have longstanding and positive relationships with local communities, councils, and businesses in Kent, and we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication as we move forward."
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Southeastern trains cancelled in the lead up to Easter
Several Southeastern trains will be cancelled this week as we head into the Easter weekend due to engineering work. The work will affect trains from Monday to Friday (April 14 to April 18). We've simplified the changes below so you can plan your journeys with ease. Monday to Wednesday (April 14 to April 16): The 11.39pm London Cannon Street to Dover Priory (Monday), the 11.39pm London Cannon Street to Canterbury West (Tuesday), and the 11.34pm London Charing Cross to Canterbury West and Dover Priory (Wednesday) services will be diverted between London Bridge and Ashford International, calling additionally at Maidstone East. Replacement buses will run between Tonbridge and Headcorn, calling at all stations, and between Headcorn and Ashford International, calling at Pluckley. Passengers travelling to Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, or connecting to the replacement bus at Tonbridge, please use alternative trains between London, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge. Tuesday and Wednesday (April 15 and April 16): The 12.26am London Cannon Street to Dartford via Greenwich service will be diverted to run via Bexleyheath. A replacement bus will run between London Bridge and Dartford via Greenwich. Wednesday and Thursday (April 16 and April 17): The 10.34pm London Charing Cross to Ramsgate via Canterbury West service will be replaced by an accessible bus between Minster and Ramsgate, calling at all stations. The 11.07pm London St Pancras International to Ramsgate via Dover Priory service will be replaced by bus between Dover Priory and Ramsgate, calling at all stations except Thanet Parkway. The 11.40pm London St Pancras International to Margate via Canterbury West service will be replaced by a bus between Minster and Margate, calling at all stations except Dumpton Park. Thursday only (April 17): The 11.40pm London St Pancras International to Margate via Canterbury West service will again be replaced by a bus between Minster and Margate, calling at all stations except Dumpton Park. Thursday and Friday (April 17 and April 18): The 12.22am London Charing Cross to Dartford via Woolwich Arsenal service will be diverted to run via Bexleyheath. A replacement bus will run between Lewisham and Dartford via Woolwich Arsenal.
