Lib Dem MP Calls On Eurostar to Maintain Ashford Service

2.35.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Oct 2006

Norman Baker MP

Lib Dem MP, Norman Baker, has met with senior representatives of Eurostar to urge them to reconsider their decision to make drastic cuts to services from Ashford International Station.

Eurostar's proposed service cuts, which mean that Ashford International Station will lose all of its Brussels trains and all but one of its off-peak Paris services, are based on conclusions of market research undertaken in preparation for the opening of their new £100m station at Ebbsfleet in October 2007. As Ebbsfleet is only 35 miles away from Ashford and has an overlapping catchment area, Eurostar is anticipating a sharp decline in passengers using Ashford International.

The Lewes MP, who successfully campaigned for the local rail company, Southern, to reinstate a direct and limited stop Brighton-Ashford service to link up with trains to Brussels and Paris, has asked Eurostar to maintain the current level of service until after Ebbsfleet opens and re-assess the situation in early 2008 based on actual rather than projected passenger figures.

Commenting on the issue, Norman Baker said:

"Eurostar's decision to axe Ashford services is highly regrettable and very unhelpful for those of my constituents who use the excellent new connections between my constituency and the Ashford terminal.

"With cheap flights probably on their way out and new housing planned for the Ashford area I don't see why Eurostar cannot support two stops in the South East in the future. While I understand that many passengers travelling from London appreciate a direct service, the new line to St. Pancras will cut journey times by 24 minutes so clawing 7 of those back for an Ashford stop still leaves a 17 minute gain on present timings. The fact that Ashford International makes a huge difference to the local infrastructure and economy also should be taken into consideration. This is why I have called on Eurostar to delay their decision until after the opening of Ebbsfleet so that they can assess the actual effect of the new station on passenger figures rather than cutting key services at Ashford based on what is, at best, informed speculation."