Ashford International Station: New Prospectus Highlights potential for International Rail Revival
Published: 13/10/2025
Ashford Borough Council (ABC), in collaboration with London St Pancras and Kent County Council, has today launched the Ashford International Station Prospectus, outlining the station’s capacity and potential to reinstate international rail services. The prospectus is available for download on the Ashford Borough Council website: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/media/zowm0lyu/international-train-station-prospectus_2nd-version.pdf.
The document details how Ashford International Station, previously handling over 600,000 passengers annually, is well-positioned to meet growing demand for sustainable international travel. The station boasts the capacity to process 850-900 passengers per train and offers 1,800 parking spaces, representing meaningful existing infrastructure. It currently ranks within the top 6% of busiest stations nationally.
The launch follows the recent “Grow In Kent” event at Ashford and Ebbsfleet international Stations, and forms part of an ongoing campaign to address the challenges preventing the return of international rail links to Kent.
The campaign has garnered support from key figures including Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Vincent Caure, Deputé for french citizens in Northern Europe, alongside regional mps, rail operators, and local businesses.
Cllr Noel Overden, Leader of Ashford Borough council, emphasized the importance of continued advocacy: ”It is important that we keep building momentum by demonstrating why Ashford International Station is the ideal platform for growth.”
A public petition supporting the return of international services has already surpassed 80,000 signatures, with a goal of reaching 100,000 to trigger a parliamentary debate. ABC is also actively seeking a working group with the Department for Transport (DfT) to address operational barriers, specifically concerning border staff, equipment, and station efficiency.
“the Grow In Kent event has hopefully sparked the next phase of this campaign,” added Cllr Overden, “and I look forward to working with our partners to achieve a resolution and see international rail services return to Kent and Ashford.”