Eurostar ceased international services in 2020 after 24 years of service and has held a monopoly on services to and from the continent since 1996. However, after today’s decision by the Office of Rail and Road the monopoly will be broken up, and Virgin Rail will be allowed to use the East London depot to provide services to and from Europe.
Mr Joseph’s campaign to restore services to his local station has been a campaign backed by local businesses, councils, and the Government with the Rail Minister making several visits to the station and meeting with a working group of Labour MPs from the South East region and the Prime Minister stating that he was “keen” to see services returned to Ashford as soon as possible in a response to a question by Mr Joseph in PMQs in January.
Sojan Joseph MP said:
“I am delighted the Rail Regulator has reached the correct decision and broken up the monopoly on European travel – this will hopefully encourage an operator to return services to Ashford. Competition in the market for European travel is good for consumers, regional growth, and businesses in Kent and the wider South East.However, this is not the end of the campaign to bring international rail back to Ashford.”
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