Ashford MP Sojan Joseph says Eurostar’s plans to launch direct services from London to Germany and Switzerland are “short-sighted” - as the operator continues to skip Kent.

The cross-Channel trains have not stopped at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since the first Covid lockdown, causing anger among passengers in the county who have to travel to London St Pancras to board the service.

Eurostar bosses confirmed today how they are working towards launching new direct routes to Frankfurt and Geneva from London by the early 2030s - but again made no commitment to resume stops in Kent.

The company has cited financial pressures and operational complexities for not reinstating them.

But in a statement issued today, Labour representative Mr Joseph said: “I believe Eurostar's decision and comments today are short-sighted and very disappointing given the high level of local support for a return to Kent, the government's new deal which provides a closer relationship with Europe, and the existing infrastructure at both Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

“I am pleased the campaign, led by my Labour colleagues and I from the region, is enjoying full support from the government, including the Prime Minister, and we have had very productive meetings with the rail minister over the past few months.

“Unfortunately, at this moment in time the decision lies solely with Eurostar on whether they wish to return to Kent.

“However, in light of this support, and the new report by the Office of Rail and Road, I believe Eurostar's reluctance to return to Kent is misguided and would urge them to rethink their decision, while my colleagues and I – along with support from the Department for Transport – continue to engage with potential new operators.”

Eurostar said today it had reached an agreement with French and Belgian rail authorities to allow direct trains from London to Frankfurt and Geneva to operate without changing at Brussels or Paris.

This is seen as a significant milestone in its future growth strategy, with the operator claiming a “new golden age of international sustainable travel is here”.

It said the Frankfurt and Geneva routes would be served by a fleet of up to 50 new trains costing approximately two billion euros (£1.7 billion).

Journey times would be about five hours between London and Frankfurt, and five hours and 20 minutes between London and Geneva.

It has not been decided what stops the services would make - such as Cologne for trains to or from Frankfurt - and whether passengers would be able to get on and off en route.

Eurostar chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave said many passengers are prepared to take longer train journeys rather than flying as they “want to travel more sustainably”.

She expects there would be strong demand from leisure and business travellers for direct services to Frankfurt and Geneva, which she described as “big financial hubs”.