Published: Thursday, 30th October 2025
Kent is a major step closer to seeing international rail services return to Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
This follows the Office of Rail and Road’s (ORR) decision today (Thursday, 30 October) to grant Virgin Trains access to Temple Mills International Depot.
For 30 years, there has been no competition on the international rail route – and Kent has felt the impact. Eurostar withdrew services from Ashford and Ebbsfleet in 2020, leaving communities disconnected. Today’s ruling changes that. It follows years of determined work and public pressure, brought to a head at last month’s International Rail event hosted by Kent County Council, where rail operators, councils, MPs, businesses and residents came together to speak with one voice. That voice has now been heard.
The ORR’s decision now has the potential to:
- Unlock a huge and much-needed boost for local businesses and tourism
- Enable the government to deliver on the promise made when High Speed 1 was built
- Provide a direct route to Europe for Kent’s residents and businesses, without having to travel out of the county to board a train that then passes back through Kent.
More than 82,000 people backed a campaign to bring international rail services back to Kent, organised by local campaign group Bring Back Euro Trains.
Unlock business potential
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Vince Maple, said: “The decision to enable an additional company to launch rail services through the Channel Tunnel is a positive step to, once again, seeing international rail services stopping in Kent.
“It is encouraging to hear that Virgin Trains has expressed an interest in bringing international rail services back to Ebbsfleet and Ashford. The necessary infrastructure to allow international travel is already in place at these two Kent stations, but has sadly has gone unused for far too long.
“I hope Government carefully considers our case and listens to the collective voice of multiple councils, businesses and communities across Kent and Medway, as well as the Bring Back Euro Trains campaigners with their petition of more than 82,000 signatures. I was pleased at our last Full Council meeting to move a motion supporting the campaign, which had unanimous support.
“We have a real opportunity to once again unlock business potential as well as boost the economy across Kent and Medway. Our region has a lot to offer and local businesses would benefit hugely from the tourism international rail services would bring, but it would also bring greater opportunities for our residents.
“Let’s hope the plans stay on track and government’s support moves at high speed.”
Clear economic case
KCC Leader Linden Kemkaran said: “The ORR has made the right decision which I wholeheartedly welcome. Their decision paves the way for competition – competition that has made clear its ambition to serve Kent again. It’s a clear signal that Kent matters and that our international stations have a vital role to play in the future of cross-Channel rail.
“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 huge. The event we held last month was about sending a loud and clear message to government, operators and the ORR: Kent is ready. And our voice has finally been heard.
“Kent’s residents and businesses can be assured that we will keep pushing to make sure Kent is front and centre in the next phase. The people of Kent deserve to be connected — and today, we’re one step closer.”
More choice for passengers
Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “We are delighted by this news. Granting wider access to the Temple Mills International depot by the ORR is a pivotal step in opening up the cross-Channel rail market. This move could not only enable potential new operators who have already expressed an interest in introducing international rail services, but it also creates the right conditions for the return of direct international trains to Kent, including Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
“Increased competition will mean more choice for passengers, lower fares, and new destinations—bringing significant economic and connectivity benefits to Kent and the wider region. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure Kent is once again at the heart of international rail travel.
“Ashford International stands ready. Ready for trade – Ready for jobs – Ready for tourism – Ready to return to the international train map.”
Ready and waiting
Leader of Dartford Borough Council Jeremy Kite said: “Although we’re disappointed that the report doesn’t offer direct support to bringing our two international stations back into operation, we have to be pleased that it does open the way for competition on the service.
“Ebbsfleet is ready and waiting to welcome customers back for international travel.
“Virgin Trains has seen the huge public campaign to get services back to both Kent stations and has shown that it is open to doing so. It just goes to show what can happen when local people, businesses, councils and politicians from a range of backgrounds unite over a common cause.
“There’s plenty of work to be done to persuade Virgin Trains to use Ebbsfleet International, but we’ll be doing everything we can at Dartford Borough Council to work with our partners at Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council to ensure they do.”
Virgin Trains has confirmed its commitment to Kent, stating in a letter to KCCs leader that they recognise: “the significant public interest in the reintroduction of international services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in Kent. If these stations are reopened, Virgin will of course stop in Kent. We look forward to talking further with you as we explore together how to reopen the stations as it will require commitment and resources from all parties and operators.”
KCC and its partners in Ashford, Dartford and Medway will now work with Virgin Trains as they develop their operational plans for Ashford and Ebbsfleet.
The Leaders of KCC, Ashford Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council and Medway Council will now be calling on government to establish the working group Kent has long been asking for – to resolve any remaining barriers and ensure Kent’s international stations are open, operational and ready to deliver for the county once again.