Looking ahead to 2026
Heading into 2026, Ashford’s MP Sojan Joseph has said that returning international train services to Ashford is his top priority. Naturally, we we welcome the sentiment; we are optimistic that trains will return, only we don’t know when. The MP’s wish comes at a particularly complicated time for cross-Channel rail.
Rival train operators are snapping at Eurostar’s heels. Even those who failed to secure crucial depot maintenance space at Temple Mills reportedly remain undeterred. Virgin Trains Europe, who did make the cut at Temple Mills, have yet to announce their order of new trains. Unfortunately, they may have to wait out a legal challenge from Eurostar to the ORR’s decision in their favour.
Meanwhile, Trenitalia have jumped in with a US-backed plan to undercut Virgin’s timetable for launching a rival service to Eurostar. Last November, BBET was permitted to reveal that Trenitalia were planning a big announcement on their cross-Channel plans. They didn’t disappoint. Just before Christmas, we heard that they had secured extra funding to buy trains and build an alternative maintenance depot near Paris. And they announced an earlier start date than Virgin, putting pressure on them as well as on Eurostar.
The other two unsuccessful contenders for depot space at Temple Mills were the British consortium Gemini and the Spanish company Evolyn. Both have stated that they are not giving up although they have not so far announced any roadmap.
What it means for Kent
There was no mention of Kent stations in Trenitalia’s recent announcement, a disappointment given that their previous statements would have made the MP Sojan Joseph a very happy man. They had promised to reinstate the Ashford stop and even to create an innovation hub there, potentially bringing jobs as well as enormous economic gains to the region. Virgin, meanwhile, have said they will use both Kent stations provided they are re-opened. We will continue our conversations with both these companies as things develop.
As the competitors slug it out in the market, the goals of our campaign remain the same. We will continue to persuade, argue, cajole and network until the International epithet of Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations regains its proper meaning. The residents and businesses of Kent and the wider south east deserve no less.
Please help us to continue campaigning
We are confident that our campaigning voice is being is being heard in the highest places. We have learned that the Government is setting up a task force to consider how the Kent stations can re-opened. We took part in KCC’s pivotal Grow in Kent event last year. We will be speaking at Ashford Borough Council’s January event, entitled Bring Back the Magic, marking the 30th anniversary since the opening of Ashford International.
We continue to lobby prospective new cross-Channel operators and local and national Government representatives. Our regular press releases keep us in the public eye. This website is gaining authority as an information hub, our Tiktok output attracts thousand of views, and the petition continues to grow.
But we cannot do this without our supporters who spread the word, lobby their MPs and support us financially. A big thank you to all, you know who you are.
To donate, and to see how the campaign uses money, see our Donations page.
We wish you a happy and successul 2026.
Category: BBET Campaign
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