Eurostar Meeting Encouraging Says Council Chief - Press Release 23 May 2008

A top Ashford delegation of Damian Green MP, Cllr Paul Clokie, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Chief Executive David Hill met with representatives from Eurostar last week (Friday 23rd May) to discuss the future of Eurostar services in Ashford.

Ashford Borough Council Chief Executive David Hill said: “The meeting was encouraging. Eurostar confirmed they are conducting a six month review of the new pattern of services, as we had pressed them to do.

“They also confirmed that the Ashford to Paris services are currently performing above expectations and therefore have a secure future. The Ashford – Lille – Disney service is also performing well, with over 150 passengers joining at Ashford.”

This news quashed fears that Eurostar would pull services from Ashford altogether. The talks also revealed that Eurostar had listened to concerns over the availability and price of the Ashford – Lille – Brussels services, and have now moved to cap the total price at £59.

The Ashford team drew Eurostar’s attention to the continuing inconvenience caused for people living and working in the Ashford catchment area as a result of the loss of direct Ashford-Brussels services and pressed the Eurostar team to consider reintroducing at least one direct Ashford – Brussels service as from December 2008. The Eurostar team said they would reflect on this as part of their current review which is likely to be completed in mid June.

David Hill went onto say: “We are pleased that there appears to be no threat of any further reductions in international services from Ashford, and that Eurostar are listening to our concerns about the current pattern of services. We look forward to continuing an open and frank dialogue over the future of international rail services from Ashford International.”

Why We're Here

Eurostar, the international train company, will end all direct Ashford to Brussels services from 19th November 2007 when they open a new station at Ebbsfleet, some 35 miles away. We, as regular Eurostar passengers, wish to help save Eurostar from a decision that will undermine their existing customer base and their reputation.