Ashford residents are desperate for Eurostar to return after a five-year service halt.
Eurostar stopped at Ashford, Ebbsfleet, and Stratford. These stations are now vacant, and people want them reopened. A businessman lost over £1 million, blaming the Eurostar closure.
Councillors say 30,000 Kent jobs vanished as people miss quick trips to Paris. They now must travel via London, which takes more time and money.
Keir Starmer urged Eurostar to return, but locals were disappointed by his words. He said it’s Eurostar’s decision, and people want government action.
Residents want the government to pressure Eurostar, hoping for the town to grow again. One resident called the closure crazy, considering £10 million was spent on upgrades in 2018.
Giles said Eurostar should return, feeling it was sneaky to close it. The closure hurts the community, and Eurostar brought people to town.
Giles wants competition for Eurostar, saying spending lots of money and not using the station is crazy. He thinks it is a government priority and should happen.
Steve Sitton says Eurostar’s loss hurts business, with hotels, taxis, and hospitality struggling. People moved there for transport links, and now the resource is gone, which is a shame.
The station is empty, while the government speaks of investment. Ashford already has needed infrastructure, and using what exists now is vital.
Jean-Claude Cothias says his business suffered after moving to Ashford 27 years ago. Eurostar made it easy to reach Europe, but now, it is much harder.
His company lost clients and investments, estimating losses around £1 million. Cothias wants the UK government to intervene, suggesting Eurostar should reopen or face rivals.
Cothias says Eurostar cares only about profits, arguing it is a public service. Ashford was small before Eurostar, and he urges government action.
Diccon Spain says selling the Eurostar stake was a mistake, and the government must drive reopening. He wants the government to welcome competition.
Spain says Ashford needs growth, and the stations are ready to use. Heathrow’s expansion is far off, presenting a chance for growth now.
Spain says 30,000 jobs vanished and wants the government to challenge Eurostar. Highlighting it’s a chance for growth, he believes the government should take it.
Charles Suddards closed his shop, citing Eurostar’s absence as hurting business. It’s crazy to travel to London to pass Ashford, and Dover delays make travel harder.
Lyn Suddards hasn’t been to Paris since the closure. Jillian Roth used Eurostar often, having moved there to travel to Europe easily.
Wendy agrees that Eurostar should return, as the station is just empty. She says the town is dying, and Eurostar’s return would help a lot.
Mike Simkins says taxi drivers lost income and thinks Eurostar should come back. The town has suffered without it, as people came to Ashford for Eurostar.
Eurostar’s CEO claims they will review the Kent stations, stating that before Covid, it was a small percentage of traffic. She claims talks are happening to resolve the issue.