International trains could once again stop in Kent after the rail regulator gave Virgin Trains permission to use a key international depot in London.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has granted the operator access to the Temple Mills International depot in East London – the Eurostar Engineering Centre.

The move ends nearly three decades of Eurostar’s monopoly on cross-Channel passenger services, opening the door for new operators to run international routes that could eventually call at Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

Eurostar has held exclusive control of services to and from the Continent since 1996, but ceased stopping at Kent stations in 2020 after 24 years of service, citing post-Brexit border requirements and reduced demand during the pandemic.

The ORR’s decision, announced today, unlocks plans for around £700 million of private investment and the creation of 400 jobs, marking what officials described as an important “first step” towards competition on the High Speed 1 line linking St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel.

Martin Jones, the ORR’s Deputy Director for Access and International, said:

“With this decision, we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700 million in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

“While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”

The regulator said it had also received numerous letters from stakeholders supporting competition and raising hopes of reopening Kent’s international stations.

It stressed, however, that its ruling only concerns depot access and does not oblige Virgin to serve specific destinations.

Virgin Trains must now reach a commercial agreement with Eurostar, which operates the Temple Mills site, and secure track access, financing and safety approvals in both the UK and EU before launching its proposed international services in 2030.

Ashford MP Sojan Joseph, who has led a long-running campaign to restore services to his local station, welcomed the regulator’s move as a major breakthrough.

His campaign has been backed by local councils, businesses and the Government, with the Rail Minister making several visits to Ashford and a cross-party working group of South East Labour MPs pushing for the station’s reopening.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister told Mr Joseph during Prime Minister’s Questions that he was “keen” to see international services return “as soon as possible.”

Mr Joseph 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.”

If Virgin’s plans progress, Kent could once again become a key gateway to Europe — reviving ambitions that have lain dormant since Eurostar withdrew its services five years ago.

Cllr Noel Ovenden, leader of Ashford Borough Council (ABC), said Ashford International “stands ready” for new services.

“We are delighted by this news,” the Ashford Independents representative said.

“Granting wider access to the Temple Mills International depot by the ORR is a pivotal step in opening up the cross-Channel rail market.

“This move could not only enable potential new operators who have already expressed an interest in introducing international rail services, but it also creates the right conditions for the return of direct international trains to Kent, including Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

“Increased competition will mean more choice for passengers, lower fares, and new destinations - bringing significant economic and connectivity benefits to Kent and the wider region.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure Kent is once again at the heart of international rail travel.”