Wednesday 23 Jan 2019
Disused Kent railway line set for new lease of life
- Region & Route:
- Southern
Folkestone residents can begin looking forward to an exciting new future for the northern section of the disused Folkestone Harbour branch line as Network Rail today announced that it is to clear the line and begin discussions with local stakeholders on potential community uses.
From the beginning of February to April 2019, most of the old track, sleepers and lineside equipment will be removed and overgrown vegetation and litter cleared along the the route. Railway equipment at the rail-road and the footpath crossings at Folly Road will also be removed and the crossings converted to a public highway and public footpath.
Discussions with local stakeholders on potential new community uses are now underway with a decision to be made in the summer of 2019. Enquiries about about the old line and potential future uses can be directed to CRSouthEast@networkrail.co.uk .
Mark Ellerby, project sponsor, Network Rail South East route, said: “While the station section of the line is now a vibrant hub with shops, cafes, homes and cycle paths, the northern section has become overgrown and blighted by flytipping.
“The work we are doing now to clear the line is a key step towards making the old line a community asset for the enjoyment of local people and visitors. It will ultimately be up to future owners to determine the exact use, but we have deliberately opted to leave some of the old track in place to allow this to be a feature of any future scheme”.
Notes to Editors
The Folkestone Harbour branch consists of two parts, the bottom part was leased by Network Rail from the Folkestone Harbour Company - the title for which transferred back from Network Rail to Folkestone Harbour Company in December 2018.
Extensive works has been undertaken by Folkestone Harbour Company creating shared public space enabling significant regeneration in the town.
The top part belongs to Network Rail (despite being non-operational since 2002 although infrequent charter trains operated on the line until 2012) and has become significantly overgrown and attracts fly tipping, graffiti and trespass making this one of the most complained about locations on South East route. The line was formally closed in 2014 following extensive consultation.
Network Rail has been in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders since 2007 to carry out the closure process, to discuss the future use for the line and to keep people informed about work being undertaken on and around the line.
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