Bring Back Euro Trains

Bring Back Euro Trains is concerned that the recent announcement for new delay in the implementation of EES will further prolong the uncertainty over travel between Kent and France.   The continued lack of clarity over the new rules for entry into the EU Schengen Zone does not create an attractive environment for the launch of new competitor rail services, or encourage Eurostar to reinstate services from Kent.   Bring Back Euro Trains acknowledges the relief expressed in some quarters about long delays at ports when the system is implemented. However, this prolonged climate of uncertainty is not in the long-term interest of businesses and the Kent economy.   Transport operators have have already spent millions of pounds investing in the expected changes in border arrangements. The UK government has recently granted £10.5 million to Eurostar, Getlink, and Dover port to help for physical preparations for the new border arrangements.    There are hints in the announced delay that certain elements of the original EES proposals may be dropped, such as fingerprinting. While we welcome any reduction in the complications to travel, we believe that business and transport operators desperately need clarity on the timing and rules.   BBET calls upon the UK Government to negotiate urgently with the EU to obtain this clarity and to reduce the obstacles to travel. #sustainabletravel #ees #bringbackeurotrains

Working to further Ashford's interests at the 2024 Labour Party Conference I recently attended the Conference as the Deputy Leader of the Labour Group in the Ashford Borough Council and in my role as Political Liaison for the Bring Back Euro Trains campaign group. Over several days, I worked closely with our MP, Hon. Sojan Joseph, to push forward Ashford's interests. My main focus was on making contacts and progressing our campaign to bring back international rail services to Ashford International - a project that Kent County Council (KCC) research suggests could potentially create around 30,000 jobs across Kent. The conference was really productive. Key events I attended included: - The BIG Transport Fringe 2024 - Transport Minister Louise Haigh's speech - The Rail Reception on transport infrastructure and economic growth - A session on Labour's priorities for sustainable travel I also attended discussions on nature restoration, tying in with my role as a committee member of Friends of Bybrook Nature Reserve. A highlight of the conference was speaking with Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. I made the case for modest investment but high return on investment projects like bringing international services back to Ashford, emphasising how these could benefit our community hugely while leveraging existing unused and/or underutilised assets. I made valuable new contacts and strengthened existing relationships with key people in the international rail sector, including senior rail executives and even a competitor to Eurostar - all important for our goal of getting services back to Ashford. Throughout the conference, I had opportunities to introduce Sojan to influential transport industry figures and even helped secure him a speaking slot at the Rail Reception at Liverpool Maritime Museum. I also briefed Sojan on transport issues relevant to Ashford, helping us maximise our impact. The conference was well worth attending. I continue to work hard for Ashford, focusing on initiatives that could bring significant long-term benefits to our whole community, always in support of, and working closely with, our dedicated MP Sojan Joseph. #Ashford #LabourConference2024 #TransportInfrastructure #InternationalRail

We are rallying all our supporters to champion the future of South East England. Reach out to your local parliamentary candidate and encourage them to demonstrate their commitment to enhancing international rail services in our region. Your voice can make a difference! Click here for a list of candidates’ email addresses and to see those who have already signed our pledges: https://lnkd.in/e35VKzme Together, we can shape a better future! #generalelections #greenfuture #internationalrail #BringBackEuroTrains

French voters living in the Ashford area were briefly allowed to enter the international terminal at Ashford station in order to vote in yesterday’s European elections. The French consulate in the UK "rightly chooses Ashford for their voters living in the south east of England, because of its central location and excellent transport links." At Bring Back Euro Trains we hope Eurostar (and its future competitors) take note of this view and of Ashford’s status as a transport hub. https://lnkd.in/e7Uwxgwm

If we are serious about growing the Kent and national economy in a sustainable and pragmatic way, using unused capacity on our only existing 67 miles of high-speed line and through the Channel Tunnel, and bringing international services back to Ashford and Ebbsfleet is vital. It's time to Bring Back Euro Trains to Ashford and Ebbsfleet.

Analysis of our Bring Back Euro Trains (BBET) data from our tens of thousands of petition signatures suggests we have strong demand for the return of international service to Ashford and Ebbsfleet from people in major population centres and areas out to roughly 40 km around Ashford e.g. out to Hastings to the south west, and around 20 km around Ebbsfleet. See image for heatmap data for signatures as at March 2024. For further information watch the analysis chapter of our Petition Anniversary Webinar video on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/d-rNWsSE. If you draw a 40 km circle around Ashford International we have an estimated population of about 1.37 million which is a substantial pool of potential customers. A more modest but still justifiable 20 km circle around Ebbsfleet International gives another pool of about 2.03 million potential customers for Ebbsfleet. European International rail trends indicate strong demand for international short haul rail travel which Ashford and Ebbsfleet, acting as regional hubs, could help to service and grow in the UK. It's time we rediscovered our international rail mojo here in the UK.

Celebrating 30 years of the Channel Tunnel is an opportunity to reflect on the current state of international #rail connections in the United Kingdom and aspire to broaden our horizons and go further with our aims. Bring Back Euro Trains is fighting for a stronger, more resilient international rail system that does not exclude regions and their inhabitants outside London. 🛤 International rail is about connection. 🌍🔗 We implore the current and future UK government to prioritise rail travel for international journeys and ensure that levelling up for transport does not result in urban communities being left behind. #international #rail #connection #travel #trainsnotplanes #greentravel #Kent #Europe #levellingup

"...we should be doing everything possible to enable more trains to run to current destinations, to reopen Ashford and Ebbsfleet and to make rail the first choice for all to travel to Europe." Click here for more about Campaign for Better Transport's views on international rail connection and their thoughts on the future of international rail: 👇 https://lnkd.in/ewr9Xxn7

'Fraternité is the solidarity we share, the collective will that drives us forward, as evidenced by today’s gathering here. Calais - Fréthun, Ashford, and Ebbsfleet are more than mere transit points; they are siblings in a family of vital European regional transport hubs. Bring Back Euro Trains' ongoing meetings and collaboration with stakeholders, experts, and policymakers, is not just a dialogue; it’s a testament to the power of community action, of fraternity.' Our Political Liaison Officer Diccon Spain shares his reflections on the Channel Tunnel during his speech made in celebration of the Channel Tunnel's 30th anniversary:

Bring Back Euro Trains commemorates 30 years of the Channel Tunnel. Its impact on Ashford and surrounding regions has been huge. For over two decades, from 1996 until 2020, #Kent residents benefited from direct access to European #rail services, enabling them to strengthen both personal and business connections. The Chunnel also opened up new employment areas, facilitating significant economic growth for the region. Today, we celebrate the Channel Tunnel and remain hopeful that passengers will once again enjoy direct access from Ashford and Ebbsfleet International Stations.