Eurostar rail services will not resume stops at stations in Kent until 2025 blaming Brexit and the aftermath of the Covid pandemic for the decision. Cross-Channel passenger rail services have not called at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since March 2020 when trains were halted at the start of the pandemic.
It was announced that trains would not call at Ashford International of Ebbsfleet until 2023 at the earliest but this has been extended for a further two years.
A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “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. 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.”
Meanwhile, a train breakdown scare in the Channel Tunnel forced passengers on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle had to use a service tunnel after being stuck for hours on a train from Calais to Folkestone. Footage showed passengers walking along an emergency service tunnel before they were eventually transferred to a replacement train.
Le Shuttle posted on social media: “A train has broke down in the tunnel and we are in the process of transferring customers to a separate passengers shuttle via the service tunnel to return to our Folkestone terminal. We apologise sincerely for this inconvenience.
“We are still operating Shuttles on our remaining line but at a reduced service. We are sorry for this delay.”
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