Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the decision by Eurostar not to have any of its trains calling at Ashford International station on the economy of east Kent.

Eurostar’s decision to temporarily not stop at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations was a commercial decision taken by Eurostar in response to the severe decline in passenger numbers.

The Government engages very regularly with Eurostar and continues to monitor very closely the continued impact of COVID-19 on the international rail sector, as well as the decisions taken by companies in response. The Government is keen to see the reinstatement of services to Ashford and Ebbsfleet once it is reasonably possible and commercially viable to do so.