Virgin has confirmed its international trains will stop at Ashford and Ebbsfleet - but only if the stations are updated to allow continental services to return.

Sir Richard Branson’s rail business plans to begin cross-Channel services by 2030 after its application to share Eurostar’s Temple Mills train depot in east London was approved.

The move - announced on Thursday morning by rail regulator Office of Rail and Road (ORR) - ends almost three decades of Eurostar’s monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services.

Ashford and Ebbsfleet have only operated domestic services since March 2020 after Eurostar stopped running from the high-speed stations.

It is understood Virgin services will call at them both “from day one” - but a question mark now hangs over who will pay to upgrade the sites, with campaigners calling on the government to step in.

Since continental trains last stopped in Kent, a new European Union entry-exit system has been introduced, meaning both stations will need to be updated with the latest border technology.

In a statement released on Thursday, Virgin Group confirmed it is planning to restart services in the county.

“We are talking to Kent County Council (KCC) and other stakeholders about stopping at both Ebbsfleet and Ashford as it set out in its ORR submission,” a spokesman said.

“Reopening the stations to be able to accommodate international services requires commitment and resources from all parties and operators - but if the stations are opened, Virgin will stop in Kent.”

Ashford Borough Council member Cllr Diccon Spain (Lab) - who has campaigned for the resumption of European travel - thinks about £4m is needed to update Ashford International, and a similar amount for Ebbsfleet.

He said he spoke to Virgin’s project lead Phil Whittingham on Thursday who confirmed the company’s plans for the county.

“I called to congratulate him on the announcement and to explore the parameters of Virgin trains serving the Kent stations,” Cllr Spain said.

“He said if the international stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet reopen, Virgin will serve those stations from day one.

“I think realistically we’re looking at 2030 for the beginning of services, but let’s see what happens. I’d love to see things happen sooner than that.”

Cllr Spain says both stations “need only mild updates”, including passport scanners, to allow services to return.

He is now calling on the government to “fund or facilitate” the upgrades to the stations.

“The economic prize in this is absolutely huge,” he said.

“The Good Growth Foundation think tank predicts reopening international services at Kent stations could bring in £2.7 billion in tourist spending over five years.

“It will create a huge number of jobs, and be a fantastic boost to the economy of Kent and the people of Kent.”

On Thursday, Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the government will “continue to champion the reopening of Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations”.

He said it is being treated “as a priority to restore full connectivity, support tourism and boost growth across the region”.

Ashford MP Sojan Joseph (Lab) said the ORR’s decision “is a fantastic first step in ending Eurostar’s monopoly on European travel”.

“However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as border checks, updating existing infrastructure at the station, and Virgin ordering new trains to operate on the line,” he added.

“The statement from Lord Hendy was especially encouraging – reiterating the government's full support for our campaign to restore services to Ashford.

“I will continue to work with the government, the operators, and any relevant agencies to resolve the issues they’re currently facing to ensure trains stop at Ashford again.”

Virgin 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.

Access to the depot is a critical requirement for an operator to launch Channel Tunnel services competing with Eurostar.

The ORR rejected applications from three other operators to use the depot: Spanish start-up Evolyn; Gemini Trains, spearheaded by former Eurotunnel executive and Labour peer Lord Berkeley; and Italian operator Trenitalia.

Eurostar was also unsuccessful in seeking permission to use the site’s spare capacity to grow.

KCC leader Cllr Linden Kemkaran (Reform) said she is “delighted” Virgin’s plans have been approved.

“They are the ones who have given the firm commitment to me, personally, in person and in writing, that they will stop again here in Kent,” she said.

“I had a lovely chat with one of the directors from Virgin and he assured me that if they were successful, they would stop in Kent.

“And he wrote to me afterwards as well to say exactly that, so I have his words in writing.

“And I think Virgin are the perfect people, they've got that sense of enterprise, they've got that sense of adventure. They will know how much this will mean to the people of Kent.

“By reopening these services, reopening these stations and getting these services stopping in Kent again, it's going to bring millions and millions of pounds not just into the local economy, but into the UK economy as a whole.”

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.

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.”

Dartford Borough Council (DBC) leader Jeremy Kite (Con) said the ORR’s decision “paves the way for competition on the line”.

“Although we’re disappointed that the report doesn’t offer direct support to bringing our two international stations back into operation, we have to be pleased that it does open the way for competition on the service,” he said.

“Ebbsfleet is ready and waiting to welcome customers back for international travel.

“Virgin has seen the huge public campaign to get services back to both Kent stations and has shown that it is open to doing so.

“It just goes to show what can happen when local people, businesses, councils and politicians from a range of backgrounds unite over a common cause.

“There’s plenty of work to be done to persuade Virgin Trains to use Ebbsfleet International, but we’ll be doing everything we can at DBC to work with our partners at ABC and KCC to ensure they do.”

In recent years, the Bring Back Euro Trains campaign group - which Cllr Spain is part of - has lobbied to restore international services to the county, with more than 80,000 people signing a petition calling for Eurostar services to return.

Cllr John Burden (Lab), leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said the ORR’s announcement “is an important and welcome development”.

“I sincerely hope it translates into international service stopping once more at Ebbsfleet International as soon as possible,” he said.

“The loss of Eurostar services has had a huge detrimental effect on local companies with business connections in France and beyond, and is an unwelcome inconvenience for local people looking to travel to the continent, whether that’s on personal business or for holidays.

“To watch Eurostars speeding through Ebbsfleet knowing to make use of them requires a 15-minute trip in the wrong direction is simply unacceptable.

“We are watching developments closely and will continue to lobby for services to resume, whoever provides them.”

The Department for Transport says it has agreed to establish a working group to consider what updates are needed at the stations, and will start talks with French border police over security controls.

A spokesman said: “We ready to work with industry partners to explore whether we can help reduce costs and lower barriers for operators at Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations.”