Calls for an urgent meeting with Eurostar bosses and the Government in the wake of the announcement that cross-Channel trains will not be stopping in Kent until 2022 have been made by Dartford MP Gareth Johnson.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson said the withdrawal of the service at Ebbsfleet and Ashford due to Covid-19 lockdown left the county in a "perilous position".

He said: "Thousands of international travellers used to come into this country via HS1 before this virus hit.

"Now HS1 of course is in a perilous position with both Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations closed until atleast 2022.

"Given the department's commitment to high speed rail would the Secretary of State or one of his team care to meet with both HS1, Eurostar and myself to try and resolve this situation.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps agreed officials should seek to get round the table with representatives of Eurostar saying the situation was "extremely concerning".

He said: "It's just another sign of how all encompassing this fight against this virus, which is just not over yet, is."

"I will make sure that meeting is set up," he added.

The news that the high-speed trains will not be pulling into the two stations for two years has sparked fears of job losses and disruption for passengers travelling to or from Europe.

Customers in the county now have to board a train at St Pancras in London to cross the Channel.

In a statement, Eurostar said it had "not taken the decision lightly".

A spokesman said: "Covid-19 has had a severe impact on the travel industry and on our business and we continue to operate in very challenging conditions.

"We have experienced an unprecedented fall in demand with bookings down by 90% compared to last year.

"The environment remains very unpredictable and has been exacerbated by quarantine restrictions which are now across all of our markets.

"Given the uncertain outlook, it is crucial that we adapt and take action to reduce our costs so that we protect our business for the future.

"In 2021, therefore we will reduce our timetable focusing only on our core routes and destinations where we see the highest demand.

"As a result, we have had to make the very difficult decision not to reopen Ashford International or Ebbsfleet International stations before 2022."

Ian Piper, chief executive at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, also expressed his disappointment at Eurostar's decision and has called for clarity from the train operator.

The planning authority acquired 125 hectares of land around the station in October 2019 as it looks to bring forward a major commercial and residential heart for the Garden City , where up to 15,000 homes are planned.

He said: "Clearly the decision by Eurostar to not stop at Ebbsfleet International station is disappointing.

"We understand it to be a temporary measure and we shall be doing all we can to ensure the service resumes as soon as possible.

"In particular, we want Eurostar to understand the potential for new business premises being created at Ebbsfleet as part of our plans for all the land around the station that the development corporation now owns.

"We are proposing to meet with Eurostar shortly to explain our plans for the area, and ensure that they take these into account in their future decision making."

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