Bring Back the Magic - 30th Anniversary
Posted on 8 January 2026On 8 January 1996, the UK’s second Eurostar station opened - Ashford International Station. It heralded a new era in international rail travel for Ashford and East Kent passengers. Ashford International Station’s opening came after an 18-month, £80million construction project, which had started in June 1994, to transform the town’s station into ‘Ashford International’. Two new platforms were built for domestic trains to replace those used by Eurostar.
On the 30th anniversary of international rail services arriving at Ashford International Station, with millions of passengers having taken services from Ashford to European designations, attendees celebrated the significant impact the investment has had, discussed why restoring these vital links to Kent matters, the continued effort to bring them back and the opportunities their return will bring.
The event included a French-themed breakfast and speeches from local leaders, businesses, campaigners, and key rail stakeholders as they recalled the magic of having Paris, Brussels, Disneyland, and the South of France on our doorstep and the positive impact of international rail travel through jobs created, businesses built, and lives transformed.
Restoring services would: cut travel times to Paris and Brussels by up to two hours compared to current routes, support sustainable travel and reduce reliance on air transport and unlock significant tourism and inward investment opportunities for Kent and the wider South East.
Restoring international rail to Ashford isn’t just about convenience—it’s about bringing back the magic of opportunity, adventure and connection that has shaped our town for three decades. For 30 years our station has been a gateway for business success and unforgettable family journeys.
Reopening international services would save our residents and businesses around £16.5 million a year, inject over £500 million annually into the visitor economy, and unlock billions in wider growth.
In celebrating 30 years of this wonderful station, it should remind us that reinstating international rail will reignite opportunity and rekindle those family and business journeys that made our community thrive. It’s time to bring back the magic.
Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council
