Eurostar
On January 8, 1996
Eurostar commenced services from Ashford International to Paris and
Brussels. Now, more than a decade on, connecting services link
Ashford to more than 100 destinations across Europe.
And, from December 2009, domestic services on the High Speed 1
(HS1) rail link, operated by Southeastern, will take passengers
from Ashford to London in just 37 minutes, cutting travel time in
half.
This is undoubtedly good news for residents, businesses and
investors alike. Ashford is better connected than ever to the
Continent, London and the rest of the UK. It confirms that Ashford
has a bright future.
Eurostar clearly believes in the area and has recently committed
to spending a further £750,000 on improving facilities at Ashford
International station, taking the total investment to more than
£1.5m. New check-in gates have been installed and the footbridge
linking the car park to inside the station is to be fully
refurbished. Already, Eurostar has invested £250,000 in renewing
the CCTV system and has refurbished the Ashford contact centre
which employs 300 local people.
Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “Together,
Ebbsfleet and Ashford will deliver a substantial increase in rail
services for the county and strengthen its position as the
crossroads to the Continent.”
Ashford International Station is readily accessible by car from
the M20 and from most of Kent and East Sussex via five rail lines
which converge at Ashford. The station provides travellers with
three services a day to Paris (journey time less than two hours), a
daily service to Disneyland Resort Paris and seasonal weekly
services to the French Alps and Avignon.
Travellers for Brussels are able to change at Lille Europe, where
there are also rail connections to the south of France and
throughout Europe. Eurostar have reintroducing a direct Brussels
service.
Cllr Paul Clokie, Chairman of the Ashford’s Future partnership,
said: “We welcome the added investment which shows Eurostar’s
commitment to the town. I’m sure many Ashford residents and regular
Eurostar passengers will enjoy the improved facilities for many
years to come.”
For more information visit www.eurostar.com or telephone 020
7922 4494.