High Speed Train Service Officially Launched

A major boost for the future of the area is celebrated today with the official launch of the full high speed train service for Kent - and representatives from Dover District Council and Dover Pride regeneration partnership were among those at the launch in London.

The launch gathered at St Pancras Station to welcome the start of the full timetable of the high speed service. Representatives included Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council and Vice Chairman of Dover Pride; Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member; Tim Ingleton, DDC Head of Regeneration; and Amanda Lumley, Programme Director for Dover Pride. The service means a new improved link between Dover and the capital, with a journey time from Dover Priory to London of just over an hour. This follows the launch of the very successful preview service at Dover Priory in September.

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management said: "This is fantastic news for the area. Experience from other destinations already connected to the high speed service shows that this will bring important benefits, and we are already seeing this with interest from developers and potential investors. Along with Dover Pride, we have worked hard with partners to have this service extended through to Dover. This is great news as we continue to work with other agencies on a range of regeneration projects that continue to gain momentum for an exciting future."