Why Eurostar refuses to use THREE UK rail stations as desperate passengers blast 'awful' decision... and even French champagne tycoon says 'it's an obvious mistake'

Campaigns to get Eurostar trains stopping in Stratford and restart services to Kent stations are gaining momentum amid overcrowding fears at London St Pancras. Stratford International station opened to rail services in 2009 but has never hosted Eurostar Stratford International station is connected to Stratford station by the Docklands Light Railway, with both hubs used by football fans heading to West Ham United's London Stadium West Ham fans outside Stratford International before a Europa League game in October 2021 Trains were intended to start in Manchester or Leeds and travel around the edge of Central London towards the Channel Tunnel via Stratford. Stratford International station: A short history July 2001 : Construction work begins : Construction work begins April 2006 : Opening ceremony : Opening ceremony November 2009 : National Rail station opens for High Speed 1 trains from London St Pancras to Kent : National Rail station opens for High Speed 1 trains from London St Pancras to Kent August 2011 : Docklands Light Railway station opens across road : Docklands Light Railway station opens across road July 2012 : London Olympics begin and station features on special service between St Pancras and Ebbsfleet throughout competition But these plans were killed off by the rapid growth of budget airlines linking northern cities with Europe, offering a significantly faster and cheaper journey. Sir Stephen Timms, the Labour MP for East Ham, said there was a growing case for international Eurostar services to call at Stratford International in East London Overcrowding at London St Pancras in December last year after Eurostar services were cancelled because of flooding in a tunnel under the River Thames Passengers queue at the entrance to Eurostar at London St Pancras station last December 'I'm positive towards it for the reduction of short haul-flights but there would have to be a mass infrastructure project to connect Stratford to Stratford International - but I believe that could definitely be done. Commuters on board a packed Jubilee line train at Stratford station in December 2021 Stratford International also has a Docklands Light Railway station of the same name, located across the road from the station used by Southeastern's High Speed 1 services to Kent Scott Parsons, chief operating officer of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, told MailOnline: 'Since it launched in 2011, Stratford International Station has been primed to accommodate the Eurostar and as one of the UK's most connected hubs, Stratford City not only offers the perfect solution to the overcapacity issue at St Pancras, but opens up new opportunities for those coming from East London and beyond.