Jo Sevenoaks
Will the high speed raily actually stop at Canterbury
Wed Aug 10 22:50:38 2005

Simon, Ashford
Does anyone know if the footbridge at J10 on the M20 is being extended? Thank you please.
Thu May 26 15:46:46 2005

Jo Orpington
Does anyone know if there are plans to widen the M25 between junction 3 and 5 at all please? Thank you.
Mon Apr 18 14:31:44 2005

Brian Sandgate
Does anybody know how Eurostars services and trains have coped with the snow and ice on the high speed rail line?
Thu Mar 3 21:22:52 2005

Brian, Sandgate
David, Nottingham I can't really see the point of high speed trains running from thanet to london (unless you want North London) I imagine the journey times from Ramsgate to Ashford via Canterbury West would take around 45 mins give or take a few mins running on classic tracks. Thats before you've joined the CTRL at Ashford. Then the journey time to London is around another 50 mins. I can't see much time being saved and it would cost an extra 33-35% in fares. Is it really worth it?
Thu Feb 17 21:46:02 2005

Erin, Medway
To JO, West Malling and other's comments as well. Great swathes of Kent were not lost to CTRL. Compare CTRL to the M2 extension or the ever widening M25, the A249 widening or any of the other spreading roads! Did you know, if you placed the full number of passengers each in their own car with a safe distance in front and behind their cars you would have a solid mass of nine miles on a three lane road such as the M2! Makes you think doesn't it and the reduced polution we must all be grateful for, as the clearer roads and economy that CTRL has brought to the South-East. CTRL will benefit those in Kent especially around Ashford and Ebbsfleet (also around St Pancras and Stratford). The RDO service will bring London to within very rapid reach of most major Kentish towns, ease the traffic on the existing routes (raods as well) and free paths for trains. A bad thing? Of course it isn't. The other options is to have run CTRL through all the major towns making it slow and circuitous. Also, would you really want CTRL running through Maidstone? How about the excessive costs of putting a railway through urban centres? It would not have been high speed or financially practical. I have to agree, some of the thinking about where traffic will come from and how to park are issues -- At Ashford more than Ebbsfleet. Ebbsfleet will have 9000 spaces and new roads to get into the terminal. To be honest, I can think of better ways of running the service than the SRA have suggested but railways are not like roads. Lines have only a specific capacity to ensure passengers safety. It is all too easy to sit back and criticise the RDO service for its failings or CTRL for not covering your local town but stations do not just cost £300M, trains cannot stop everywhere and there are many benefits to the S.E and Kent but not everyone will be pleased or benefit. How far do you go to pacify the whole S.E.?
Thu Feb 10 14:36:19 2005

David, Nottingham
We plan to move into the South-East this year and we are looking to set up home in a coastal resort. We know Thanet area very well. Can anyone suggest the best palce to move if we need to commute to London St.Pancras. I have been trying to follow the effects of the new fast link into Kent but cant find anything about times etc. Any help gratefully received.
Wed Feb 9 16:15:48 2005

Chris Fribbins, Medway
But that is how Grandfather Rights work. The new safety criteria must be adopted for new or major modifications. The problem here is Channel Tunnel Specification (especially for the extended tunnelled section in London).
Mon Feb 7 17:16:53 2005

Brian, sandgate
Chris Fribbins With the regard of the High speed train end doors issue. Two car haps/epb's used that line for well over 30/40 years WITHOUT mishap in public use. With todays technology around it very strange that suddenly its become dangerous to use such trains without end doors on this line. I know the old "grandfather rights" for the older trains but its still strange to deliberately put obstacles in the way, pushing up costs therefore using that to justifly not going ahead with it for the new trains.
Sun Feb 6 21:00:59 2005

Chris Fribbins, Medway
Oliver (Dover), Dover does not miss out and has not been ignored. At present there is a health and safety issue with the CTRL/D trains - they do not have end doors so any exit in an emergency would be to the side and Shakespeare tunnel is too thin for this. Technical aolutions and safety approvals are being sought - if resolved the trains can run between Folkestone and Dover - they have until 2009 to sort it and the tunnels are being worked on this spring/summer.
Wed Jan 26 16:52:10 2005

Oliver, Dover
As a sixth form pupil studying A-level Travel and Tourism, I strongly believe that as Dover is the main gateway to Europe, and indeed one of the largest passenger ferry ports in the World, the decision to not link the town to the High Speed Rail Network is economically disasterous. On what grounds was the decision to overlook Dover based?
Tue Jan 25 12:07:51 2005

JO, West Malling
Some good points Martin, but the problem is that money will have to diverted from the 'traditional' routes, to fund the CTRL/D. This is of course fine for those that will be able to access the new high-speed link. For those of us in places like Maidstone (the county town I may add), and West Malling, our service is only to get worse - and it's bad/slow enough already! A great swathe of Kent was sacrificed for the CTRL and I think more people should benefit from it, regardless of which part of the county they live in.
Mon Jan 24 13:15:03 2005

Martin, Folkestone
I can't see why people are complaining about the new link. It is fantastic news for all commuters, especially for those in the east of the county. People from west Kent in their cushy commuter towns which have no need for regeneration seem to miss the point that there are towns east of Maidstone and Ashford. We will benefit greatly from the new link meaning that commuters will be attracted to live in towns like Folkestone, providing much needed cash for the area. I will be going to university this year, and I was not happy at the prospect of nhaving to live somewhere nearer to London after university to be able to commute to London. Now this new link means that I and many others will not have to leave our home town to have a good job in London, thus preventing the drain of skills and wealth from Folkestone. So, to anyone who complains about the link, just think of the wider picture and how much benefit it will bring to the east Kent towns that are currently in so much need of regeneration.
Thu Jan 20 21:57:10 2005

Brian, Sandgate
With the closure of railway line Between Dover and Folkestone for maintence of tunnels and new track, its an ideal opportunely to make it accessible to include Dover as an another major town able to use the high speed line. As railways are (proberly)the safest way to travel, its crazy to cut out dover "incase" a train has an accident in shakespear tunnel. The benifits far outway the risk protenial by millions, and we should all remember that life is not guaranteed to be risk free, just think of how bland life would become if it did. I for one would willingly take that chance daily if need be.
Sun Jan 16 20:37:25 2005

Alex, Gravesend
Its a brilliant idea! It wil be faster for me to get to work. The trains will be smoother. If people who protest about Cliff Airport and want a cleaner way to get around they should be in favour in this
Thu Dec 9 10:17:38 2004

John, Sevenoaks
What's happened to the commuter message board? Also, as most recent postings on it have been to do with CTRL, should not the two message boards be amalgamated?
Tue Dec 7 08:50:18 2004

Bob, Barham
Brian, Sandgate - I'm not convinced a 100mph train running on the CTRL between Ashford and Southfleet Junction would make much difference until well past 2009. It would take about 8 minutes longer than a Eurostar so, given that Eurostars run 3 minutes apart - twice an hour - it would have plenty of time to get off the St Pancras route before the next one was due. The same applies to any future trains from Medway, they would join at Ebbsfleet and follow to London arriving before the next Eurostar - and they would not lose much time as the 186mph doesn't come into effect until the line gets down to the Dagenham area. This would buy time to get a proper solution when any traffic that wants to go to North London (instead of the City or West End) builds up in volume. (HST trains would not be able to run beyond Folkestone as they have no end doors).
Wed Nov 10 12:44:54 2004

Brian, Sandgate
Chris Fribbins, The reason I suggested HST's is that HST have and do use London Waterloo already. I do know that they are not the most satsifactory train to use, but nor is the NOL Eurostars either. However Flexablity should be name of the game. The only trains which could the route (with signalling added) is the 375's, or the SWT 444's which aren't tried or tested down here. 365's which moved to another TOC would be ok with the exception of Dover & Folkestone line. The biggest problem is the 100 MPH of those trains mixing with 186mph Eurostars
Mon Nov 8 20:49:54 2004

Bob, Barham
Peter, I agree with your sentiments and a better service could be introduced at the next timetable change without spending £300. 40 years ago when our present slam-door stock was first introduced (at 75mph and not 90mph) it was possible to travel from London to Margate in 86 mintes - or 1 minute slower than the SRA are spending at least £200m in new rolling stock - and potentially more on the track through Shakespear Tunnel. This could be repeated today - except I suspect that SET are not the franchise holder and the SRA would not wish to find a way between London and Thanet which would not include the high speed line that they have hoodwinked Kent over. Yes international trains needed it and yes they use the first phase to get to Waterloo - and yes they could actually use the 375 trains after retro-fitting with cab signalling and running at 100mph. It does seem to be polotical doesn't it....
Mon Nov 8 12:51:53 2004

Peter Evans
I went to Margate today - the place was completely deserted and is in desparate need of a new high speed link, either to Margate or Ramsgate. It takes 1 hr 40 mins to get to London! If it was 1 hour away the whol area would be regenerated - people could commute to this seaside town and it would live again (re: splendid Victorian past). Sittingbourne desparately needs it as well - Rochester etc, not to mention Gravesend town centre. Lets come to our senses - £5 billion - an extra £300 mill is all that is needed!!
Sun Nov 7 21:37:54 2004

Chris Fribbins, Medway
? because they are diesel (and not commuter trains)!. Even the introduction of 170 Turbostars in place of the old 'Thumpers' on the London<>Uckfield route caused problems (and that is a diesel to diesel swap). The exhaust was very different and Victoria station could not vent out the fumes properly as it was 'lined' up for the Thumpers. The service had to be change to route the trains to London Bridge instead.
Fri Nov 5 11:40:38 2004

Brian, Sandgate
Why can't Hst's trains be used for the new trains arrive, currantly there are quite sets out of use with the introduction of Virgins new trains. Hst power cars are having alot of work done to them to extend their lifes,electrical work etc, so why not add the new signalling equiment and use these for the next 5-7 years. Yes I do know there diesel.
Fri Nov 5 00:06:18 2004

Chris Fribbins, Medway
Mike (Ashford). Although 2009 does seem a long way off, it was recognised that 2007 was an extremely 'challenging' timescale to specify, design, build, commission, obtain required approvals, handover, train drivers and debug. I am not even sure we have a robust specification for the train yet (no passenger input!). The basic spec of speed/in car signalling/ and a requirement for very low station dwell time (unload/load) appears to have been agreed by the SRA and Hitachi - at the moment they are only a preferred supplier and still have details to agree.
Thu Nov 4 11:32:13 2004

Mike, Ashford
Glad to see that the trains are going to be made by Hitachi. Why? Does any one think the 375s are particularly reliable? Do you really want to be stranded on a 30 mile section of track with no stations? And why, oh why, does the link get finished in 2007, and we don't get the domestic trains till 2009? What is that all about?!?!?
Wed Nov 3 20:12:03 2004

Alan, Rainham
So a row has broken out ove naming the new CTRL station (Dartford International or Ebbsfleet). Why not call it Bluewater International? It might then attract our continental cousins to stop-over and spend some Euros rather than by-pass Kent altogether.
Fri Oct 29 13:07:35 2004

Jim, Canterbury
Danny in Ashford is right - no one seems to have thought about the need for additional parking. at certain stations Unfortunately, Canterbury has a lefty anti-car council and so I will find it hard to imagine them doing something to increase the minimal parking capacity at Canterbury W. Nothing wil be done until 2009 when panic will set in.
Thu Oct 28 15:30:28 2004

Chris Fribbins, Medway
The main reason for trains to go to Ramsgate is for the train depot, no other reason. Because of this a service via Broadstairs & Margate is suggested in the IKF proposals to get the trains into service. The Eurostar is NOT a commuter train, only really suitable for longer distances and would struggle on the classin network. You can't take out existing stops in the peak hours as they are needed to fill the train and to stop the trains from bunching at the major stations (Classic lines). We have run down our train manufacturing and really just assemble now. After the current round of purchases there will not be any new trains for a while. CTRL Hub stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet will have the car parking capacity, but watch out for KCC to insist that charges are high to discourage people from using KCC's roads. The biggest dissapointment if 2009+ for the introduction, IKF was talking about 2007 (even if late 2007). Maidstone is stuck out on a branch line and off the mainline routes, so a very historical position. I am sure KCC do not like too many cars travelling into Maidstone to take up land space for a day and add to the congestion, so would be happier for people to go elsewhere. What we missed out on was a new Parkway station.
Thu Oct 28 15:17:42 2004

Garth, Folkestone
Be great if there is to be a terminus in Folkestone. I see little point in stopping at every point on the way, it wouldn't be a high speed link then.
Thu Oct 28 15:15:16 2004

M.J.Whitson, Paddock Wood
I have been watching the news interviews on this matter with mainly labour M.P.s and it is clear that they have been handed a hymn sheet and instructed to ignore all the adverse aspects of this scheme. None have mentioned the fact that St. Pancras is about the last place that one would want to terminate domestic services for two reasons; dispersal from there is difficult because of congestion on both road and rail and unless one's place of business is within ten minutes walk of the terminal then any time gained ona by faster jouney will be lost. The domestic terminal platforms are a long way from the Euston Road. The only commuter passengers likely to gain are those who want to go to Canary Wharf and who might find that by changing at Stratford there journey time might be cut. Provision has been made at Ebbsfleet for a 3,000 space car park with room to expand to 9,000. One wonders if the SRA has taken into account the adverse revenue effect that this may have on the North Kent line and the Maidstone East line. Almost unbelievably, the SRA think that people will be attracted to Ebbsfleet from as far away as Tonbridge. It is quite clear that the SRA have not the lightest knowledge of road congestion in the area. The fact is that no business case can be made out for running domestic services on the CTRL is simply evidence that this is purely a daft political decision and that all it will be is a drain on resources which will, for example, prevent investment being made in such schemes as Thameslink 2000 w that would be of far greater value in transport terms. But then politicians are not interested in such humdrum matters but only in making what they see as decisions that will bathe them or their party in glory.
Thu Oct 28 15:14:42 2004

Phil
There is little point in putting a fast rail link based at Ramsgate. Those who live in Margate, Westgate and Birchington will spend any time saved on the train in travelling to Ramsgate. Why not instead build a new station at Minster (or just outside) it being far more central to the whole of Thanet and would allow the terminus to be placed at Dover. Car parking at Ramsgate is likely to be insufficient if commuters are forced (by the reduction in an alternative service as is likely to take place) and the new station at Minster developed to allow a full compliment of parking space. The route would then be Dover, Thanet, Ashford, Medway and London. The existing track between the North Kent cost towns could then be adapted along the lines of the Docklands Light Railway with small robotically controlled units linking Herne Bay to the new Thanet Station at Minster whilst Faversham, Whitstable etc could link with Canterbury or even Medway. A coach link with the Airport would be both easy and visible and one day, if Manston really takes off as I hope it will, there could be an underground link between the two. let's think of some radical change instead of tinkering at the edges.
Thu Oct 28 15:14:18 2004

Wendy Toms Pluckley
The worry that passengers on the Tonbridge line to London have is that the price of the new fast trains on the CTRL could be the loss of most of the existing trains to Cannon Street - as proposed by the Strategic Rail Authority earlier this year. The SRA's consultation document in February on this took the view that train services could be cut, because commuters would opt to use the CTRL trains instead. It did not seem to have occurred to the SRA planners that the time taken to get to Ashford International and then between St. Pancras and people's place of work would completely cancel out any saving in time taken to get from Ashford to St. Pancras! It would also, of course, push up people's travelling costs. Yesterday's announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport does not spell out what will happen to existing train services. It would be madness to scrap most of the Cannon Street services, which people have relied on for years to get them to work on time. Do commuters between Ashford and Tonbridge realise that most of those Cannon St services WILL go, unless the Government can be persuaded to reject the SRA's absurd proposals? Even at the 11th hour, hopefully there is still time to influence the Government in its final decision about train services in the new Kent franchise, by writing to Alistair Darling, our MPs and local authorities. (Copy your letters to the SRA.) Medway commuters have staged a highly effective and vocal protest against cuts to THEIR Cannon St services.
Thu Oct 28 09:47:51 2004

Danny, Ashford
Is no-body in government capable of joined-up thinking? There is a £27m plan for a new Turner Centre in Margate, so the high speed link goes to Ramsgate. 2) The existing Eurostar trains will do everything that the proposed Jap. ones will do, except massively increase our balance of trade deficite with Japan. 3) Take out all of the stops that will have to go in order to make the new service viable and the existing commuter service will be massively improved without the additional costs. 4)None of the proposed high speed stations ( or their towns) have the parking space to accomodate the influx of commuters that will have to drive before they can get onto the high speed link.If it comes to that, the roads are going to struggle as well.
Wed Oct 27 19:54:21 2004

Romael From Gillingham.
Yes, offcourse it will be beneficial for people.
Wed Oct 27 19:51:19 2004

Alan Nr Maidstone
Why are we spending £200,000,000 on Japanise trains? Why can't we build our own? This new high speed rail link is supposed to regenerate Thanet. Why can't we make a start by employing our own people instead of providing jobs for Japanise workers?
Wed Oct 27 18:45:08 2004