After five long years without an international train service, Ashford International is set to welcome continental rail passengers once again — and it is not Eurostar.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), Italy’s national rail company, announced a bold plan to launch a rival London–Paris high-speed service by 2029, with Ashford International as a key stop.
The move marks a major step in diversifying Channel Tunnel operations, currently dominated by Eurostar, and reignites hope for south-eastern Kent’s international connectivity.
“This is a game-changer for Ashford,” said Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council in a statement.
“We’ve waited far too long for a serious commitment — and FS stepping in could be the breakthrough we need.”
What is being proposed?
The FS Group’s vision includes a direct London–Paris high-speed service, with intermediate calls at Ashford International. And the creation of an Innovation Hub in Ashford by early 2026, expected to bring jobs, research partnerships, and future-focused rail tech initiatives.
The group’s vision also includes a total investment of £800 million to £1 billion, including upgrades to Ashford station infrastructure, cross-border compliance, and new rolling stock.
As well as engagement with the UK’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for access permissions and regulatory clearances.
Timeline: key milestones
2020 - Eurostar suspends services to Ashford & Ebbsfleet due to pandemic
2023–2024 - Local campaigns intensify to restore services
April 2025 - FS confirms plan to enter London–Paris market
October 2025 - FS announces intention to reopen Ashford International
Early 2026 - Planned launch of Ashford “Innovation Hub”
2029 - Target launch of new international high-speed route
A few challenges do lay ahead, however.
FS must gain operator rights and safety certification to run through the tunnel. And the company is currently negotiating access to critical infrastructure like the Temple Mills depot in East London.
Additionally, Ashford would need to restore facilities for international departures, including Border Force and passport control.
“It’s ambitious, but the UK must meet FS halfway,” said Stephen Kenton, a transport analyst at UK Rail Monitor in a statement. “We need political will and regulatory agility to make this happen.”
Restoring international trains to Ashford and other Kent stations would stimulate the local economy by bringing in more tourists, possibly cutting down on travel times, and re-integrating the county with the high-speed rail system in Europe.
“Rail is the green alternative, and this plan connects Kent back to Europe — sustainably,” said Dr Maria Bellini, Head of Sustainable Transport at the University of Kent.
Which other companies have plans to launch trains from the UK to Europe?
Currently the Eurostar is the only railway line to use the Channel Tunnel since 1994.
Virgin has announced plans to launch high-speed train services between the UK and mainland Europe by 2030, targeting major cities such as Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam — key routes currently served by Eurostar.
They’re not alone. Gemini Trains, a new player backed by a partnership with Uber, has recently acquired 10 high-speed trains in preparation for services launching by 2029. Their proposed routes would connect London and Ebbsfleet to both Paris and Brussels.
Meanwhile, start-up operator Evolyn first revealed its ambitions in 2023, aiming to begin London–Paris services as early as next year.
Even Eurostar is stepping up its game, with major expansion plans underway. The company is exploring the possibility of reviving routes to Marseille and Bordeaux, and has signalled interest in extending its network to cities in Germany and Switzerland, according to its Chief Commercial Officer.
