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Eurostar marks 25 years stopping in Ashford and Ebbsfleet

It's 1996 - Dolly the Sheep is born, John Major is Prime Minister and Charles and Diana's divorce is finalised.

But for Kent, the year is one to remember because it hails the arrival of an even greater link to the continent - Eurostar.

Eurostar is celebrating its 25th year coming to Kent
Eurostar is celebrating its 25th year coming to Kent

Two years prior, the first Eurostar service began running between London Waterloo, Paris and Brussels.

It was in early 1996 that its trains began stopping in Ashford, its second UK railway station.

Its opening came after an 18-month, £80million construction project, which had started in June 1994, to transform the town's station into 'Ashford International'.

Two new platforms were built for domestic trains to replace those used by Eurostar.

An aerial view of Ashford International station in 1995, with construction work underway
An aerial view of Ashford International station in 1995, with construction work underway
A whole new departure lounge was built to accommodate Eurostar passengers
A whole new departure lounge was built to accommodate Eurostar passengers
A multi-storey car park was also constructed, connected by a walkway over the A2042
A multi-storey car park was also constructed, connected by a walkway over the A2042

With a design inspired by the Maison de Verre in Paris, a new ticket barrier was installed as well as a departure lounge with space for up to 800 passengers.

Another key part of the overhaul was a new multi-storey car park, built over the Avenue Jacques Faucheux and joined to the station by an overhead walkway.

The Duke of Kent opened the new station on February 28, 1996.

The Duke of Kent officially opened the departure lounge, welcoming international travellers to Ashford for the first time
The Duke of Kent officially opened the departure lounge, welcoming international travellers to Ashford for the first time
During its opening, the Duke of Kent travelled by train from London to Ashford with Transport Secretary Sir George Young for the opening ceremony. Customer care worker Maria Lawrence is pictured explaining to the Duke how to book a ticket
During its opening, the Duke of Kent travelled by train from London to Ashford with Transport Secretary Sir George Young for the opening ceremony. Customer care worker Maria Lawrence is pictured explaining to the Duke how to book a ticket

Eurostar's arrival would go on to open up Kent to the continent and improved its links to London.

It helped Ashford attract more commuters with its fast link to the capital when a high-speed service was introduced in 2009.

Kent got its second Eurostar stop in November 2007 when Ebbsfleet International opened, however its road to construction was a lot more contentious.

Just its name alone caused a lot of wrangling, as Eurostar pushed for it to be called the Dartford International Station.

The construction of Ebbsfleet International Train Station cost £100million in total
The construction of Ebbsfleet International Train Station cost £100million in total
The 2003 artist's impression of what Ebbsfleet International would look like
The 2003 artist's impression of what Ebbsfleet International would look like

However this suggestion was opposed by Gravesham Borough Council, Southfleet Parish Council and Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council.

One of the concerns was its similarity to the name of the pre-existing Dartford Railway Station only six miles away.

In the end, they chose Ebbsfleet.

The £100million station is unique in the UK, in that it is served only by high-speed services.

The first train pulling into Ebbsfleet in November 2007
The first train pulling into Ebbsfleet in November 2007
Tracey Manley, chief executive, with Kent Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce members travel on the first Eurostar train to leave Ebbsfleet International Station to Paris
Tracey Manley, chief executive, with Kent Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce members travel on the first Eurostar train to leave Ebbsfleet International Station to Paris

The station's car park is currently being used as a customs checkpoint for post-Brexit haulage and it had reportedly cost the government £1.8 million in rent by February 11.

Kent also played a part in reaching a British speed record for trains, when in 2003 a Eurostar train was clocked at 208mph on the first section of the HS1 line between the Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction near Dartford.

The trains have also hosted a number of celebrities, perhaps most notably Johnny Depp in 2019.

Johnny Depp on the Eurostar (33645159)
Johnny Depp on the Eurostar (33645159)

Despite services having run daily since the two stations' inceptions, that run ended last year.

It was announced in March that, due to the Covid pandemic, the rail company would call a halt to stops at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet due to increased French border controls.

As the spread of the virus continued throughout the year, even out of lockdown the number of Eurostar passenger was dramatically lower.

In September, the company highlighted that ticket sales were down 90% year-on-year. In response, the firm said it wouldn't be stopping at either Kent station until 2022.

Damian Green, who first became Ashford's MP a year after Eurostar's arrival in the town, says the path forward is still unclear for its return.

One of the last Eurostar E320 Siemens trains to pull into Ebbsfleet International Station in February. Picture: Steve Salter
One of the last Eurostar E320 Siemens trains to pull into Ebbsfleet International Station in February. Picture: Steve Salter
Despite the recent halt, Damian Green MP notes how important Eurostar's arrival has been to Ashford and Kent over the last 25 years. Picture: Steve Salter
Despite the recent halt, Damian Green MP notes how important Eurostar's arrival has been to Ashford and Kent over the last 25 years. Picture: Steve Salter

He said: "There's no new news on it. I know the company's got funding to carry it over the next few months but we don't know the date yet as to when services will resume.

"Looking at the situation in France it's tough to see when that will happen, given that Paris has gone back into lockdown and the country in general is having a surge of infections."

However, he has hopes that it will return soon and said the services had been crucial in regenerating Ashford.

He added: "It's been hugely important for Ashford's development and very important in attracting new visitors to Kent.

"It's a big feature in the county's tourism economy and it's vital we get international services back, not just for Ashford but for Kent as a whole."

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