The county could remain disconnected from the mainland until 2025 after the train company dashed hopes of a gradual return of services next year. Eurostar will continue to have “significant” financial commitments for several years after the passenger drought during the lockdown, he said, delaying any changes to its timetable. The operator also blamed Brexit, saying border restrictions have “hardened” since the UK left the EU. It added that it expects further friction when the EU’s entry/exit system comes into operation in May next year. The new system will automatically check the validity of passports and ETIAS (or visa) cards of visitors from non-Schengen countries whenever they cross the EU’s external borders. Trains regularly stopped at Ebbsfleet and Ashford International stations en route to Europe until 2020, when services were suspended due to the pandemic. Passengers had hoped services would resume in 2023, but Eurostar said on Tuesday it could not “commit for another two to three years” to reviving services. A spokesman said: “We understand this will be disappointing for local communities. “While we continue to operate in an uncertain and fragile environment, we need to focus on our most profitable cross-fund routes so we can meet our financial commitments, stabilize our operations and our customer experience, before considering any further developments . “We will continue to work closely and openly with local councils on the future of the stations.” A lack of international services has left Ashford station almost completely empty for more than two years since the pandemic hit. Passenger numbers at Ashford International fell from four million in 2019/20 to one million in 2020/21, according to annual figures from the Office of Rail and Road. Ashford station cost around £100 million to rebuild for Eurostar services in the 1990s. The delays will be a blow to companies such as Brompton, the bike maker, which is building a new factory in Kent. Will Butler-Adams, chief executive of Brompton, said in February that the proximity of the Eurostar station would allow the company to “engage with Europe very easily”.
