News and Events

The Ashford and Folkestone MPs, accompanied by representatives from Kent County Council, Ashford Borough Council, Shepway District Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) had a second meeting yesterday with Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, to discuss the future pattern of Eurostar services to and from Ashford.

The delegation thanked Eurostar for giving them access to the passenger data and assumptions that underlay Eurostar's current timetable proposals.

They argued that on the basis of this data and reasonably conservative assumptions it could be demonstrated that the retention of a direct Ashford-Brussels return service would be viable; and proposed that one outward service in the morning and one return service in the evening should stop at Ashford.

They further argued that this proposition should at least be tested in real life for a period after Ebbsfleet opens, rather than being ruled out now on the basis of theoretical modelling. The extensive roadworks planned for the M25 and A2 over the next few years add weight to this argument.

The delegation drew attention once more to the importance attached by the Government to growth and regeneration in Ashford, Shepway and elsewhere in mid and east Kent and East Sussex - all areas that could be adversely affected if Eurostar took the wrong decision. The two MPs noted that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had already commented that the cost of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) could only be justified if regeneration benefits were taken into account and indicated that they would be inviting the PAC to consider Eurostar's position.

Richard Brown and his colleagues did not feel able to accept that a service on the lines proposed could turn out to be viable. But they agreed to hold further technical discussions with officers of the three councils and SEEDA to explore the proposition further.

Both sides accepted that a final decision will need to be made early in the new year.

Meanwhile, Eurostar reiterated its long term commitment to Ashford International as an operational base and as a departure point for international services to Paris and (via Lille) to Brussels.

Speaking after the meeting, Paul Bartlett, Deputy Leader of Ashford Borough Council said: "Eurostar should take this opportunity to reflect on their position and to transform what has been a very negative story for them into a positive message of commitment to Ashford. That would bring benefits to a large number of communities in East Kent and East Sussex and by stimulating business growth in the area it would in the long run benefit Eurostar by strengthening their customer base."

He urged all businesses, communities and individuals who might be adversely affected by the termination of Ashford-Brussels services to write to Richard Brown and express their support for the proposition that has now been put forward.

Roger Gough, Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Supporting Independence said: "We are very pleased with the united front that is fighting the cut backs at Ashford and will continue to give the campaign our full support."