Eurostar is facing increasing pressure to reinstate services from Kent, as costs rise and overcrowding complaints mount on journeys from St Pancras. On Monday, transport research group Enroute and grassroots campaign "Bring Back Euro Trains" stated that the suspension of international rail services from Ashford International and Ebbsfleet during the pandemic has had "significant repercussions" for Kent’s economy and undermined its status as a "gateway to Europe."

This will intensify scrutiny of Eurostar’s decision to keep these routes closed since March 2020 due to a sharp decline in passenger numbers, as reported by City AM.

Despite borders reopening post-lockdown and a significant rebound in demand for international travel across Europe, Eurostar has said there is "no short term prospect" of a return but will review the situation in 2026. The report, titled "Returning International Rail Services to Kent", argues that both Ebbsfleet and Ashford International, representing over £180m in infrastructure investment, are currently "underutilised" and "wasted."

High Speed 1, the rail route connecting London to Folkestone, and the Channel Tunnel are operating at just 50% and 40% of their capacity, respectively.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his desire to see operations restored from the two South East hubs, echoing calls from the leader of Ashford Borough council.

Eurostar's monopoly on the Channel Tunnel has been reinforced as it remains the sole operator with the requisite rolling stock, rights, and expertise to service Ebbsfleet and Ashford promptly, according to a recent report. The document also highlighted that travel times to Brussels have jumped significantly—from 90 minutes to an arduous 4.5 hours across Kent—and costs for journeys to key destinations such as Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris have seen a sharp rise.

Prior to the route being suspended, travellers from Ashford International to Brussels could expect to pay between £120 and £180 for a round trip taking roughly three hours. Now, including the extra journey via Southeastern to London and increased waiting times at St Pancras, the trek from Kent takes about nine hours, costing passengers somewhere between £200 and £280, as detailed in Enroute's findings.

Historically, Ashford served as an alternative hub during disruptions on the London-Folkestone railway line. Alexander Bienfait, Interim Chair of Bring Back Euro Trains, lamented the underuse of Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations, deeming it a "glaring waste of resources."

He argued that reinstating services would not only enhance Kent's connectivity and support the local economy but also contribute to carbon reduction objectives.

Furthermore, he contended: "People should not have to endure expensive, inefficient journeys through London when faster, direct links to Europe are already within reach."

Harry Burr, the Joint Chief Executive of Enroute, commented on the prospects for reconnecting regional railway services: "With High Speed 1 and the Channel Tunnel running far below capacity, reinstating these connections is not only feasible but critical for regional economic recovery, international business ties, and achieving sustainable transport objectives."

Enroute and Bring Back Euro Trains, representing groups including Ashford Council, Kent County Council, and the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, have put forward several policy measures they believe necessary to reinitiate services. Their recommendations include a review into the economic case for "regional international hub development including maximising the use of existing assets," adding strategic funding to facilitate efficient border processing post-Brexit, reconsidering the configuration of the air passenger duty (APD) levy, and contemplating state-backed guarantees for new market entrants in rail service.