by business editor Trevor Sturgess

French economic and political leaders have united to back commuter rail links between Kent and Northern France.

A high-powered conference in Boulogne have debated the creation of a cross-Channel 'Metro' region.

Thaddee Segard, who represents the Opale coastal area and attended the recent Kent 2020 Vision business show, said: "For the first time in memory, they all agreed on the need to establish strong rail ties with the Kent. This a great news for us at Opale Link and we believe that this is a great news for the Kent - Opale coast euro region."

This development is the latest step in a long-running campaign for a Transmanche commuter region, with people able to more easily live and work on either side of the Channel

Eurostar, the high-speed train operator between London, Ebbsfleet, Ashford, Paris and Brussels, has so far shown no interest in introducing frequent local stopping trains with lower fares.

Daniel Percheron, president of the Nord Pas de Calais region, said officials were looking at the possibility of extending French rail services into the UK.

"But there is a problem," he said. "If you want to go to Kent, you have to pay tolls for the tunnel. And those rights are horribly expensive."

Eurotunnel may cut these charges if it sees an opportunity to generate more traffic from commuter trains. It currently operates at only 57 per cent capacity.

Mr Segard wants the Transmanche Metro service to run from Calais-Frethun to Ashford.

"There is real potential for economic development in the Boulogne and Calais with the residential economy. We must take advantage of the fact that land costs and the cost of living at still much higher in England. The British are willing to come and live on the Opal Coast and appreciate its charm while continuing to work in Kent or London."