Fresh hopes of cross-Channel rail services stopping in Kent and one of its international railway stations being reopened have edged a step closer.

Italy’s state owned railway company, a co-owner of Avanti West Coast services here in the UK, has emerged as another potential rival to Eurostar.

FS Italiane Group has announced plans to launch services through the Channel Tunnel by 2029.

The operator says it’s “studying further opportunities” for services between London and Paris, including a stop at Ashford International for the first time in more than five years.

If it goes ahead it is proposing to use trains made in Italy and inspired by its own Frecciarossa “Red Arrow” high-speed rolling stock.

In total it’s committed to investing one billion euro (£857million) to the project and has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish company Evolyn to potentially develop a partnership.

Evolyn previously announced it was bidding to launch services rivalling Eurostar, as is billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Gemini, chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley.

Since the Covid pandemic, demand for cross-continent railway travel has swelled and Eurostar has enjoyed strong demand on its rail services between the UK and France.

However, the cost of boarding such trains compared to low-cost airfare is still seen as prohibitive, reigniting calls for more competition on the rail network.

Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, boss of the Italian enterprise looking to rival Eurostar, said: “High-speed rail networks are the backbone of efficient and environmentally friendly mobility.

“By expanding our presence on key corridors, we are not just investing in infrastructure and innovation but also in the future of European transport.

“More competition will help to create a more efficient and customer-oriented industry, offering a real alternative to air travel.”

Any new Channel Tunnel operator will need to obtain regulator approval.

Eurostar stopped calling in Kent at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International in March 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

It means Kent residents have to travel to St Pancras International before coming back through the county on their way to Paris and Europe.

The industry’s regulator, The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said last month some capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London could be made available to other operators.

Access to a suitable depot for maintaining and storing trains has been cited by the industry as a critical requirement for operators to compete with Eurostar.

Eurostar holds a monopoly in running passenger services through the Channel Tunnel, which opened in 1994.

FS Italiane Group’s subsidiary Trenitalia owns 30% of Avanti West Coast, and runs c2c, which operates between the City of London and south Essex.

Earlier this month, London St Pancras Highspeed – which owns the station in the capital and the high-speed tracks to the tunnel – announced it will offer reduced charges to operators running additional international services.

It comes just days after Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group said there are “no more major hurdles to overcome” before it can begin operating passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel following a determination by the rail regulator.

The company owned by the billionaire entrepreneur made the claim after the ORR’s Temple Mills announcement.

Meanwhile, Gemini Trains, spearheaded by former Eurotunnel executive and Labour peer Lord Berkeley, also revealed last month it was seeking to offer an alternative London to Europe rail link.

In its initial proposals, Gemini states it intends to run services from both London and Ebbsfleet.

When questioned by KentOnline about its plans for Ashford, chief executive of Gemini, Adrian Quine, said: “Ebbsfleet very much features from launch with services going to both Paris and Brussels.

“Ashford is not planned for the initial phase.”