Monday 19th November 2007

The launch of international Eurostar services from the new Ebbsfleet International Station heralds a new era of rail travel and will bring faster European and domestic train services from Kent a step closer.

The new Ebbsfleet International station in North Kent has been constructed by London & Continental Railways, the organisation responsible for delivering High Speed 1. The station launched its European services on November 19, meaning Lille can be reached in one hour 10 minutes, Brussels in one hour 41 minutes and Paris in just over two hours. In 2009, with the launch of high-speed domestic services, London will only be 17 minutes away and travelling times further afield will be slashed – with journeys to Nottingham taking just over two hours, Sheffield only two hour 42 minutes and York only two hours 52 minutes.

Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent said: “Kent is now the gateway to Europe and we expect to see increased interest from foreign–owned and London-based companies locating to Kent. We can already see this happening – with Moss Electrical relocating from London to Dartford, and with French design business Mediama and German company Partec, a specialist in measuring devices for the life sciences sector, announcing their office openings in Kent within the last few months. The appeal of travelling by train to Europe for the business community is now greater than ever with increased delays at airports.

“The on-going financial and market instability and inflationary worries mean that margins are being squeezed and companies are looking for more cost effective locations and high quality options. Offering access to a wide talent pool, considerably lower property and labour costs (up to 60%) and a wide availability of office space, Kent is the optimal business location, especially for London based companies.”

He added: “Increasingly people are becoming aware of the new services Ebbsfleet, but until people see for themselves what’s on offer – the facilities at the spectacular St Pancras International, the brand new station at Ebbsfleet and the quality of the domestic trains themselves, they won’t realise quite how much difference the launch of the stations and the new services will make to Kent as a business location.”

Stephen Jordan, Managing Director of London & Continental Railways, the company behind High Speed 1 and the building of Ebbsfleet International, said: "This part of Kent has, until now, been far too remote from London. However, the power of high speed rail transforms geography. High Speed 1 will dramatically reduce journey times to Europe and, from 2009, into the heart of London. The new line will have a hugely positive effect on the areas round Ebbsfleet, Ashford and beyond."

Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said: “Ebbsfleet International is closer to the M25 than any London airport and is quite simply the fastest way to Europe for millions of passengers across southern England. We are providing a balance of services at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International that we believe meets the demands of both the people of Kent and those living further afield, and that will create new opportunities for both.”

To encourage people to travel to the new Ebbsfleet International station by train, Southeastern is encouraging passengers to use the newly-renovated Greenhithe Station and a special connection by the Fastrack bus service to Ebbsfleet. From 19 November, anyone purchasing a Eurostar ticket can also benefit from free travel to Greenhithe from any station on Southeastern’s network, and free travel on Fastrack to Ebbsfleet itself. Southeastern is also offering Eurostar passengers free travel to Ashford International.

The development around Ebbsfleet International station by Land Securities means Ebbsfleet Valley will be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use community of homes, offices, leisure and community facilities over the next 20 years. Other developments already up and running include a new residential and business community near Dartford called The Bridge, and new housing projects in Gravesend, Greenhithe and near Bluewater.

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