Eurostar: Survey launched on pause to services in Kent

Eurostar services currently only travel into central London

A survey has been launched to find out how a pause on Eurostar services in Kent has affected businesses.

The service linking the UK to Europe has not stopped at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since March 2020.

Eurostar has said it may not resume services in Kent until 2025.

Kent County Council is now running the survey to help "promote the case for international rail services to resume in the county," said cabinet member for highways and transport, Neil Baker.

He said the council needed "to understand the impact the sustained loss" the pause on Eurostar services had had on businesses in Kent.

The survey is supported by Ashford Borough Council and Dartford Borough Council and is open to "businesses of all shapes and sizes".

Eurostar initially stopped services in Kent due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Then last year it said it would not be able to "make any commitment for another two to three years" on restarting services, citing financial factors and the post-Brexit border situation.

"Without easy access to international rail services from Kent, business, trade and investment with our neighbouring international markets is more costly and time-consuming," said Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce's chief executive, Jo James.

In September, a petition calling for Eurostar services to be reinstated in Kent garnered more than 30,000 signatures, with campaigners arguing the stops were vital for the county's economy.

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