Press Release – Rail Minister Visits Ashford International Station in Show of Support for European Rail Campaign
- 11/07/2025
- Posted by: Sojan Joseph MP
- Category: Press Releases
Picture (L-R Tony Vaughan MP, Wendy Spinks, Lord Hendy, Sojan Joseph MP)
Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill visited Ashford International Railway Station today (11th July 2025) to show Government support for the campaign to bring European rail back to Ashford International.
The Minister was joined by Sojan Joseph MP (Ashford, Hawkinge, and the Villages), Tony Vaughan MP (Folkestone and Hythe), and Wendy Spinks (Chief Commercial Officer of London St. Pancras High Speed).
The visit to the station follows a meeting with the Rail Minister and a working group of Labour MPs from the South East Region who have been campaigning on the issue of returning international rail services to Ashford Station. In February Sojan Joseph MP (Ashford), Helena Dollimore MP (Hastings and Rye), Polly Billington MP (East Thanet), Tony Vaughan MP (Folkestone and Hythe), and Lauren Edwards MP (Rochester and Strood) met with the Minister to discuss the future of European travel in Kent. The meeting was described by the Members as “very positive” and the dialogue has since continued with the Department for Transport (DFT) and potential future rail operators.
Eurostar ceased operations at the station in 2020 after over 24 years. There had been £18.5 million invested in Ashford’s Eurostar infrastructure since the Lib Dem-Tory Coalition sold the U.K.’s 40% stake in March 2015, there is now just two abandoned platforms and disused international infrastructure (which is ready to go if the right provider is willing to invest).
Quotes:
Sojan Joseph MP (Ashford) stated:
“I truly appreciate the Minister for taking the time to come and visit Ashford International.
The Government’s support for our campaign has been fantastic. It highlights Labour’s commitment to positive change and local growth.
The continued dialogue and vocal encouragement for our campaign from the Ministers Department for Transport has been great – it’s something my colleagues and I really appreciate, and we look forward to it continuing”
Tony Vaughan MP (Folkestone and Hythe) Stated:
“Big step forward to have the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, visit Ashford International today.
He has seen for himself a station that is ready to transport thousands of passengers from Ashford to Europe and back again. Restoring international rail at Ashford would create jobs and be a huge boost for Kent’s tourism and hospitality sector.
I will keep pushing alongside my Labour colleague, Sojan Joseph and other Kent Labour MPs for international rail services to be restored to Ashford.
Change is possible.”
Notes
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-reaches-agreement-on-the-sale-of-its-entire-interest-in-eurostar-for-7571m
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/12/richard-branson-500m-train-order-break-eurostar-monopoly/
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/eurostar-competition-italian-state-train-london-milan-b2729435.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawLcYqxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDZGtUQmhnWnZXNEthT2lLAR4CwxVRpPbay7l9fHzavIF4fMecUV4dhB5_yYoiprFb4WpO83lnh84BXqvTlw_aem_0PFMtmLglW6GKSLEX9V_3w
https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/work-begins-to-future-proof-ashford-international-for-new-eurostar-trains
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-10-25/debates/14BF9FE9-D75D-49D8-9D3B-B4FC9D5397A0/details
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/ashford-stations-international-future-looks-bright-as-first-modern-high-speed-train-calls-en-route-to-paris
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-council/council-projects/bring-back-eurostar-campaign/
Ends
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