Eurostar strikes local rail deal

Ebbsfleet International Station is due to open on 19 November

Cross-Channel rail passengers will have free travel on local railway services in Kent when the new Ebbsfleet International Station opens.

Eurostar said a deal with Southeastern would give free links between Ebbsfleet and Ashford, and other stations nearby.

It follows a long-running campaign in Ashford against Eurostar's move to cut the town's Paris services and end Brussels services when Ebbsfleet opens.

An 11,000-name petition raised in the town was backed by MPs and councillors.

A Eurostar statement on Tuesday said that from 19 November, when Ebbsfleet opens, Ashford will have three daily services to Paris, a daily train to Disneyland, and weekly services to the French Alps and Avignon.

Ebbsfleet will have seven daily services to Paris and five daily services to Brussels.

We are fully committed to ensuring the best possible level of Eurostar service for the people of Kent Richard Brown

But cross-Channel passengers will get free local railway transport, by showing their tickets and passports, and also free travel on the Fastrack bus service in north Kent.

The rail company has also said parking charges at Ebbsfleet will match those at Ashford, while frequent travellers will get free parking for trips of up to four days at both stations.

Richard Brown, chief executive, said: "We are fully committed to ensuring the best possible level of Eurostar service for the people of Kent."

He said the two stations together would have "significantly more services that will strengthen Kent's international links and its position at the crossroads between the UK and the continent".