Three times more Brits support reopening international rail stations than expanding airports

Britons back rail over runways, with three times more people supporting the reopening of international services at Stratford, Ashford and Ebbsfleet (44%) over expanding airports (12%) such as Heathrow and Gatwick, according to new YouGov polling commissioned by T&E UK and Clean Cities.

The findings come as the Government prepares to vote on Heathrow expansion and Gatwick expansion is pressing ahead, despite mounting climate pressures and debate over the economic case for additional airport capacity. They suggest a clear public preference for making better use of the UK’s existing rail infrastructure and strengthening connections with Europe before building more airport capacity.

The polling found that 74% of people believe more rail connections between the UK and Europe would be good for culture and tourism, while 65% say it would benefit the economy. Which is true. Reopening Ashford International would require as little as £2 million to £3.5 million in capital investment but could unlock up to £534 million in additional economic value every year, generating an estimated £2.7 billion boost over five years, according to the Good Growth Foundation.

‘’It’s astonishing that only one of the UK’s four international rail stations is running trains to Europe despite huge overcrowding and high customer demand. We should be increasing rail use not reducing it - people living in Kent and the Southeast have had no international services since 2020. Meanwhile London’s second station: Stratford International has never run trains to Europe, leaving our stations like white elephants. The Government should stop this colossal waste and open our empty international rail stations amongst other measures to ensure that we max out the Channel Tunnel. That’s what the public actually want, instead of entertaining ridiculous proposals to expand airports whilst the UK is on fire”. Georgia Whitaker, Rail Campaigns Manager at T&E UK, said.

The case for action is strengthened by the capacity already available across the UK’s international rail network. Eurotunnel says that only around half of the Channel Tunnel’s passenger capacity is currently being used. At the same time, the end of Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly is opening the door to greater competition. Trenitalia, Virgin, Gemini and other operators are preparing to launch international services by 2029–30, creating the prospect of more choice and lower fares for passengers. The Scottish Government is also looking into the potential for a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe.

“It’s embarrassing that the Channel Tunnel is only running at half capacity and instead of fixing this we are choosing to repeat a tiresome and forever debate on airport expansion. This government has a huge opportunity to use existing infrastructure and deliver stronger cultural and economic connections to cities like Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam and Zurich in a fast and climate-friendly way. The public want better international rail options and the operators are ready to deliver - why isn’t this a political priority? Oliver Lord, UK Director of Clean Cities, said.

Campaigners say the Government should now publish a funded and timetabled plan to reopen Stratford, Ashford and Ebbsfleet to international services, with all three stations operational by 2030. The Government should also open suitable depot space, set ambitious modal-shift targets in the Long-Term Rail Strategy amongst other policy measures to support competition and the development of new routes to expand the international rail network, instead of focussing energy on further airport expansion.

Notes for editors on YouGov polling: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.

These surveys were conducted using an online interview administered by members of the YouGov Plc GB panel of 400,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. An email was sent to panellists selected at random from the base sample according to the sample definition, inviting them to take part in the survey and providing a link to the survey. The responding sample is weighted to the profile of the sample definition to provide a representative reporting sample. The profile is normally derived from census data or, if not available from the census, from industry accepted data. GB and London surveys were performed independently

• The total GB sample size was 2,063 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th - 30th July 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

• The total London sample size was 1,141 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th July - 5th August 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in London (aged 18+).