26.04.12
Kent sees extended high speed services
Improvements for rail services have been announced at the 4th Kent Rail summit, held yesterday. These include faster services and an extended high speed service to the capital.
A £10m investment programme by Network Rail in partnership with Kent County Council is due to begin in 2014, and an extended high speed service is due to run from September 2012.
Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Council cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, told ITV News: “The launch of late night high speed services to East Kent is great news for the area, providing a further boost to business.
“We worked closely with Southeastern and local MPs to secure high speed rail services at the lowest possible cost, initially on a trial basis for one year. As a result of strong passenger figures we have been able to reduce the level of our revenue support considerably.
“As service use grows the potential to extend it to provide a full timetable throughout the day will be a real possibility, which will boost local business prospects still further.”
Vince Lucas, service delivery director for Southeastern said: “The service is a key transport link between the coast andLondon. From September we will be extending the evening service departing 23:12 from St Pancras to also include stops atSandwich, Deal and Ramsgate. This means passengers have another transport option to get home following a night out in London.”
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