Comments on: Contact Us http://www.save-eurostar.org Dedicated to saving Eurostar services from Ashford International Tue, 13 May 2008 04:55:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Debbie S http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-13 Debbie S Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:36:39 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-13 I too have elderly parents who live in Kent (Maidstone), so Ashford is the logical destination for me. I'm behind this campaign all the way. I too have elderly parents who live in Kent (Maidstone), so Ashford is the logical destination for me. I’m behind this campaign all the way.

]]> By: Audrey O. http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-35 Audrey O. Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:04:32 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-35 What I can't understand is that Paris trains WILL stop..have I interpreted that right? If so, then using Ashford Station for only half it's normal traffic will not solve Eurostar's problem. They will then have to stop using the station and it becomes a white elephant. Maybe singing it's praises as a place to leave one's car - at good rates and to do away with the congestion around and in London might encourage people to use it. I am sure Ashford itself would cough up some of the advertising money. Hotel prices must be cheaper too if an early start is required? A stop only takes five minutes, so more frequent stops might help? I had a day in London yesterday, and my train stopped both ways as it happened. Audrey Osterlyng, Brussels What I can’t understand is that Paris trains WILL stop..have I interpreted that right? If so, then using Ashford Station for only half it’s normal traffic will not solve Eurostar’s problem. They will then have to stop using the station and it becomes a white elephant. Maybe singing it’s praises as a place to leave one’s car - at good rates and to do away with the congestion around and in London might encourage people to use it. I am sure Ashford itself would cough up some of the advertising money. Hotel prices must be cheaper too if an early start is required? A stop only takes five minutes, so more frequent stops might help? I had a day in London yesterday, and my train stopped both ways as it happened. Audrey Osterlyng, Brussels

]]> By: Roy N. http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-37 Roy N. Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:22:10 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-37 As a person who is disabled and has to use an electric wheelchair to travel about, and who relies on public transport, travelling to Ebbsfleet will be a lot more time consuming, probably about an hour providing the connecting buses wheelchair bay is empty, if not a lot longer. Using St Pancras for me is unthinkable in that I would have to cross London on a bus during rush hour. Ashford is so much easier for Disabled people with its direct rail links from many places in the South East, as in my case from Margate. Having seen the new timetable, I don't think I'll be using Eurostar for my trips again. As a person who is disabled and has to use an electric wheelchair to travel about, and who relies on public transport, travelling to Ebbsfleet will be a lot more time consuming, probably about an hour providing the connecting buses wheelchair bay is empty, if not a lot longer. Using St Pancras for me is unthinkable in that I would have to cross London on a bus during rush hour.

Ashford is so much easier for Disabled people with its direct rail links from many places in the South East, as in my case from Margate.

Having seen the new timetable, I don’t think I’ll be using Eurostar for my trips again.

]]> By: Richard P http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-68 Richard P Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:20:40 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-68 Have we lost the fight? Have we lost the fight?

]]> By: Richard M http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-117 Richard M Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:47:03 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-117 I think your blog is excellent. It appears to confirm what we all thought would happen, but Eurostar refused to believe: Ebbsfleet is bombing. Here in Bexhill, we have even fewer options than most of Kent, with a slow rail service to London and the A21 'snail trail' for those who want the stress of going by car to Ebbsfleet [allow at least an hour and a half and pay £11.50 a day for the privilege of parking there]. The coastal rail link from Brighton to Ashford was our one easy link with the continent. Southern are still up for a deal for free travel to Ashford, but the word is that Eurostar aren't interested Test bookings on the few remaining Paris trains out of Ashford reveal very few affordable fares. As for travel to Belgium, one may as well just take the car across on the ferry/Chunnel than mess around trying to book a through ticket, let alone experience all the shenanigans at Lille. And for onward travel to Germany or the Netherlands, it's back to Gatwick or even Stansted. I love the Eurostar experience, but what a useless company is Eurostar UK I think your blog is excellent. It appears to confirm what we all thought would happen, but Eurostar refused to believe: Ebbsfleet is bombing.

Here in Bexhill, we have even fewer options than most of Kent, with a slow rail service to London and the A21 ’snail trail’ for those who want the stress of going by car to Ebbsfleet [allow at least an hour and a half and pay £11.50 a day for the privilege of parking there]. The coastal rail link from Brighton to Ashford was our one easy link with the continent. Southern are still up for a deal for free travel to Ashford, but the word is that Eurostar aren’t interested

Test bookings on the few remaining Paris trains out of Ashford reveal very few affordable fares. As for travel to Belgium, one may as well just take the car across on the ferry/Chunnel than mess around trying to book a through ticket, let alone experience all the shenanigans at Lille. And for onward travel to Germany or the Netherlands, it’s back to Gatwick or even Stansted.

I love the Eurostar experience, but what a useless company is Eurostar UK

]]> By: Richard M http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-118 Richard M Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:49:57 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-118 Just wanted to clear one thing up: Richard Brown, CEO of Eurostar - is he the same chap that caused a furore at British Gas a few years ago? For information about the campaign for better services in the Bexhill area, please see www.bexhillrailaction.org.uk We'll certainly add your website to our links next time we update our website Just wanted to clear one thing up: Richard Brown, CEO of Eurostar - is he the same chap that caused a furore at British Gas a few years ago?

For information about the campaign for better services in the Bexhill area, please see www.bexhillrailaction.org.uk

We’ll certainly add your website to our links next time we update our website

]]> By: Richard M http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-119 Richard M Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:08:28 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-119 Test bookings on the Eurostar website as far ahead as June produce very few cheap seats on the sole daily train to/from Lille. In contrast, availability from Ebbsfleet is not a problem. Is this another attempt by 'Eurostar Airways' to close Ashford by stealth, by pricing out potential users? Test bookings on the Eurostar website as far ahead as June produce very few cheap seats on the sole daily train to/from Lille. In contrast, availability from Ebbsfleet is not a problem. Is this another attempt by ‘Eurostar Airways’ to close Ashford by stealth, by pricing out potential users?

]]> By: jeanne http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-122 jeanne Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:55:28 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-122 I used to catch an early Eurostar train to Paris to get a connection on to Clermont Ferrand. The timings of the connections, leaving time to cross Paris were excellent and I could do the whole journey in good time and arrive in the Auvergne at a reasonable time of day. Likewise returning home was quite an easy process, using the rail link from Polegate. Now the timings are really difficult and I cannot get a train home from Clermont until 1.30 p.m. (if I book through eurostar) which makes arrival back in Ashford really late and onward to Polegate even later. The last time I tried this I missed my connection when eurostar was late in. I have managed to book direct with SNCF in France to get an earlier train but the time between the Paris stations is really tight and doesnt allow for delays! The experience is now tiring and no longer the pleasure it was. Travelling to the Auvergne is difficult with no direct flights from the SEast to Clermont Ferrand from Gatwick nor I believe any other airport. The only other option is to drive all the way, not a task I could undertake on my own. I really hope pressure can be put on eurostar to reinstate trains from Ashford. This is not a service which is practical for me to use any longer. I used to catch an early Eurostar train to Paris to get a connection on to Clermont Ferrand. The timings of the connections, leaving time to cross Paris were excellent and I could do the whole journey in good time and arrive in the Auvergne at a reasonable time of day. Likewise returning home was quite an easy process, using the rail link from Polegate. Now the timings are really difficult and I cannot get a train home from Clermont until 1.30 p.m. (if I book through eurostar) which makes arrival back in Ashford really late and onward to Polegate even later. The last time I tried this I missed my connection when eurostar was late in. I have managed to book direct with SNCF in France to get an earlier train but the time between the Paris stations is really tight and doesnt allow for delays! The experience is now tiring and no longer the pleasure it was. Travelling to the Auvergne is difficult with no direct flights from the SEast to Clermont Ferrand from Gatwick nor I believe any other airport. The only other option is to drive all the way, not a task I could undertake on my own. I really hope pressure can be put on eurostar to reinstate trains from Ashford. This is not a service which is practical for me to use any longer.

]]> By: Richard M http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-125 Richard M Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:19:32 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-125 Please see link to Eurostar press release below http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/press_release/As_if_by_magic_Eurostar_introduces_extra_direct_services_to_Disneyland_resort_paris_for_the_summer.jsp It is a little bizarre that Eurostar sees strong demand to go from Ashford to Euro Disney and has responded to this, but has not budged on providing a service to Brussels. Nonetheless, the significance of this announcement is that these new services are to run in the middle of the day, so Eurostar will have to fully staff Ashford International station at these times, rather than simply in the morning and evening at present. Perhaps this signifies the beginning of a climbdown? Please see link to Eurostar press release below

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/press_release/As_if_by_magic_Eurostar_introduces_extra_direct_services_to_Disneyland_resort_paris_for_the_summer.jsp

It is a little bizarre that Eurostar sees strong demand to go from Ashford to Euro Disney and has responded to this, but has not budged on providing a service to Brussels. Nonetheless, the significance of this announcement is that these new services are to run in the middle of the day, so Eurostar will have to fully staff Ashford International station at these times, rather than simply in the morning and evening at present. Perhaps this signifies the beginning of a climbdown?

]]> By: Dehaes http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-126 Dehaes Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:55:45 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-126 I hail from Romney Marsh and have lived in Brussels 32 years. So all my friends and family from Kent were in the habit of taking the Eurostar from Ashford. My brother had a nightmare trip via Ebbsfleet when he came to visit me at Christmas. It took him 9 hours. The bus never showed up to take him across to Ebbsfleet and he had to take a taxi which cost him even more money (£25). The taximan then promptly got lost and with nobody much to ask the way, they took a scenic itinerary into Ebbsfleet. Terrific amount of traipsing up and down stairs with heavy luggage (full of cheddar for me!). Our elderly mum would not manage it at all. In any case too expensive for her pension. He came over again just recently - in his car on a £14 ticket Norfolk lines Dover to Dunkerque. The crossing took 3/4 hour more Dover to Calais, but he relaxed in the lounge (instead of sweating his way around London/Ebbsfleet spending money on Eurostar's economy cuts) - cheddar well stocked in his boot. So, in future its Norfolk Lines for us all. Count that one up Eurostar. And I have spread the publicity across Brussels. As for the vulgar publicity campaign. Is this what it is like in Britain now? Do people really find these kind of ads cool-Raoul? Or is it just a reflection of the Eurostar management - rather thick and totally out of touch with what the people want. I cannot understand why our police force has not complained. As for the one with the Queen doing a Marilyn Monroe...perlease!!! Karen C. Waterloo, BE I hail from Romney Marsh and have lived in Brussels 32 years. So all my friends and family from Kent were in the habit of taking the Eurostar from Ashford.

My brother had a nightmare trip via Ebbsfleet when he came to visit me at Christmas. It took him 9 hours. The bus never showed up to take him across to Ebbsfleet and he had to take a taxi which cost him even more money (£25). The taximan then promptly got lost and with nobody much to ask the way, they took a scenic itinerary into Ebbsfleet. Terrific amount of traipsing up and down stairs with heavy luggage (full of cheddar for me!). Our elderly mum would not manage it at all. In any case too expensive for her pension.

He came over again just recently - in his car on a £14 ticket Norfolk lines Dover to Dunkerque. The crossing took 3/4 hour more Dover to Calais, but he relaxed in the lounge (instead of sweating his way around London/Ebbsfleet spending money on Eurostar’s economy cuts) - cheddar well stocked in his boot.

So, in future its Norfolk Lines for us all. Count that one up Eurostar. And I have spread the publicity across Brussels.

As for the vulgar publicity campaign. Is this what it is like in Britain now? Do people really find these kind of ads cool-Raoul? Or is it just a reflection of the Eurostar management - rather thick and totally out of touch with what the people want. I cannot understand why our police force has not complained. As for the one with the Queen doing a Marilyn Monroe…perlease!!!

Karen C.
Waterloo, BE

]]> By: Richard M http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-128 Richard M Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:06:48 +0000 http://www.save-eurostar.org/contact-us/#comment-128 I have to say I detect the duff-hand of SNCF, the state-owned French Railways behind all of this. SNCF more-or-less owns Eurostar now and calls all the shots. Guillaume Pepy, the 'President' of SNCF is Chairman of Eurostar. Look at the current Eurostar timetable from Ashford, and it is a similar story up and down France. Although the TGVs between the large cities are excellent, and this is what the outside world sees, services on the secondary and rural lines are rubbish. The average town in France has three or four trains a day, which run only when SNCF can be bothered to operate them. Even mainlines such as Boulogne - Paris only have five trains a day each way, with long gaps in the timetable of several hours with no trains at all. If it were the UK, or Belgium or Germany, there would be a train every hour or two. For example, the branchline from Ashford to Hastings via Rye has a train every hour, which even runs on to Brighton. A similar line running along the coast from Calais to Dunkirk via Gravelines has only three trains a day. In France, if you want to go anywhere else other than where they run to, or at any other time of day, and you don't want to go to or via Paris: Tough. It's the most producer-led railway in Europe. I have to say I detect the duff-hand of SNCF, the state-owned French Railways behind all of this. SNCF more-or-less owns Eurostar now and calls all the shots. Guillaume Pepy, the ‘President’ of SNCF is Chairman of Eurostar. Look at the current Eurostar timetable from Ashford, and it is a similar story up and down France. Although the TGVs between the large cities are excellent, and this is what the outside world sees, services on the secondary and rural lines are rubbish. The average town in France has three or four trains a day, which run only when SNCF can be bothered to operate them. Even mainlines such as Boulogne - Paris only have five trains a day each way, with long gaps in the timetable of several hours with no trains at all. If it were the UK, or Belgium or Germany, there would be a train every hour or two. For example, the branchline from Ashford to Hastings via Rye has a train every hour, which even runs on to Brighton. A similar line running along the coast from Calais to Dunkirk via Gravelines has only three trains a day. In France, if you want to go anywhere else other than where they run to, or at any other time of day, and you don’t want to go to or via Paris: Tough. It’s the most producer-led railway in Europe.

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