Media centre

Tuesday 28 Apr 2009

FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR KENT RAIL STRATEGY

Region & Route:

| Southern

The UK’s first high speed domestic train service is the backbone of a new proposed rail strategy for Kent which was unveiled today. Better access to stations and train services, improved reliability and longer, faster trains also feature in the plans to meet future passenger demands.

The Kent route utilisation strategy (RUS) analyses current demands and predicts future trends in order to make recommendations for a bigger and better railway in Kent and across the border into East Sussex.

With passenger growth in the county expected to increase by 32% between 2007 and 2019, capacity and overcrowding is a significant consideration within the RUS. An expanding population in Kent, notably at Ashford and the Thames Gateway, and a sizable population being attracted by the new high speed service will all contribute to this increased demand. There are already more trains operating daily on the Kent route than in the whole of Switzerland, and owing to the high number of trains terminating at London stations, there are very few options to run additional services into the capital. However, there are opportunities to run longer trains across Kent routes, which will result in extra seats and reduced congestion for passengers.

Domestic high speed services will bring the biggest boost to the railway in Kent. The high speed line between St Pancras International and the Channel tunnel is owned by High Speed 1 and maintained under contract by Network Rail. The Southeastern Highspeed services, which are due to launch formally in December 2009, are likely to bring immediate benefits for Kent passengers. In addition, further options exist to increase the length of the trains from six-cars to a maximum of 12, as well as extending planned high speed services to start further back within Kent to meet future needs. Not only would this add extra capacity into London, it could reduce overcrowding on traditional routes into Victoria and London Bridge.

Andrew Munden, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “Working with our partners, Network Rail is planning for a bright future for Kent commuters. The coming of domestic high speed services is great news. In the next few years Network Rail will invest £1.1bn in Kent’s railway to meet passenger needs.

“The development of a robust strategy to improve the railway is an important part of our role, and the feedback we get as part of the consultation process will play an important part in shaping the future of the county’s railway.”

The RUS also makes recommendations to improve access to the railway. A number of stations have already been identified for enhancement under the government’s National Stations Improvement Programme and Access for All schemes. In addition, there are plans to provide more car parking spaces at stations across the county. As part of an ongoing Seven Day Railway initiative, Network Rail is exploring ways to allow more consistent and frequent access to train services during evenings, weekends and public holidays, in addition to peak commuter services.

Other areas examined in the RUS include increased line speeds, improved connectivity across the region, an allowance for the predicted increase in freight traffic and enhancements to the infrastructure to improve reliability.