Eurostar services are unlikely to resume stops in Kent for another three years.
The company cited financial factors and the post-Brexit border situation, with the EU’s entry/exit system due to be in place by the end of May 2023 expected to add “further complexity”.
The high speed passenger rail service has not called at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since March 2020 when the pandemic struck.
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The company confirmed services between London St Pancras and Europe via the Channel Tunnel would not stop at the two Kent stations during 2023.
And it would not be able to “make any commitment for another two to three years”.
A spokesperson said the wait for the return of stops in Kent could go on until as late as 2025, stating that the pandemic and Brexit were among the reasons behind the decision.
“We can confirm that Eurostar services will not stop at Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations in 2023, and that we cannot make any commitment for another two to three years,” KentOnline was told.
“Our recovery is progressing well, but we have considerable financial commitments following the pandemic which we will continue to face for a number of years.
“Our border environment has also toughened post-Brexit, and further complexity is expected with the launch of the EU’s entry/ exit system.
“Whilst we continue to operate in an uncertain and fragile environment, we must focus on our most profitable inter-capital routes to enable us to meet our financial commitments, stabilise our operation and our customer experience, before considering any further developments.
“We understand that this will be disappointing for the local communities, and we will continue to work closely and openly with the local councils on the future of the stations.”
The lack of international service has left Ashford’s station almost completely empty for two years.
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