High-speed trains start from Maidstone
Today sees the start of a new high speed service from
Maidstone to St Pancras International.
The trial follows changes to the North Kent line to improve the
punctuality of existing services.
Trains will call at Strood, Gravesend, Stratford
International and St Pancras International, with journey times of
47 minutes.
Charles Horton, managing director, said: "Today marks another
positive step for services in Kent with the new high speed service
from Maidstone.
"This will help provide passengers with an alternative way of
getting directly to the heart of London.
"The changes are also allowing us to improve the reliability and
punctuality of services along the North Kent and Sidcup lines into
London by reducing the number of trains running through the
Rochester area, which experience showed was vulnerable to
congestion and delays."
Brian Sweetland, cabinet member for environment,
highways and waste at Kent County Council said: "Kent County
Council supports this new initiative by Southeastern.
"The new high speed service will provide rail passengers from
Maidstone with a direct fast rail service to St Pancras."
The new service will see three departures from Maidstone West in
the morning, at 06.56, 07.26 and 07.56.
The return journeys will leave St Pancras International at
17.14, 17.44 and 18.14.
There is also one service in the morning departing St Pancras
International at 06.25 to Maidstone West.
In the evening there is one service departing at 19.13 from
Maidstone West to St Pancras International.
Passengers will continue to be able to travel twice an hour from
Maidstone West to St Pancras International in 65 minutes changing
at Strood.
For more details on the new services please visit The Southeastern
website.
20/05/11
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