Branson told to rethink Eurostar rival bid as rail minister warns Kent stations 'must be served'

"Virgin Group is one of several operators hoping to break Eurostar's 30-year monopoly on the route, but Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill warned that proposals focused solely on London St Pancras risk falling short. Speaking at an event in Ashford, Kent, Lord Hendy said bidders must show "the potential for services to be reinstated" at Stratford International, Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations - a move he said could add £500m a year to the visitor economy."

"By contrast, newcomer Gemini Trains - which has struck a marketing deal with Uber - wants Stratford as its London terminus and a stop at Ebbsfleet. Its chief executive, Adrian Quine, argued this would give Gemini a catchment of nearly 20 million people, thanks to 5,000 parking spaces and links to the M25 and the new Lower Thames Crossing. "Virgin is just copying Eurostar," Quine said, insisting Gemini's inclusion of Kent stations gave it a decisive edge."

Rival operators aiming to run trains through the Channel Tunnel face requirements to commit to serving Kent and east London stations, including potential reinstatement at Stratford International, Ebbsfleet and Ashford. Reinstating stops at those Kent stations could add about £500m a year to the visitor economy. Eurostar dropped calls at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in 2020 and has never served Stratford, though border facilities remain. Virgin and Evolyn/Trenitalia propose St Pancras-only services from 2030 to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, while Gemini Trains proposes Stratford and Ebbsfleet stops and has partnered with Uber. The Office of Rail and Road will decide Temple Mills depot access by the end of October.

Read at Business Matters