In a letter of response to the train company, DDC Cabinet Member for Access, Cllr Nigel Collor has made a number of comments, including:
- Consideration be given to looking again at reducing journey times via Ashford, which could be achieved with the removal of one of the stops at Folkestone, or reassessing whether all high speed trains need to stop at Ebbsfleet.
- Coupled with planned work on the Ashford to Ramsgate line, this would bring London to within an hour of most major towns in East Kent, supporting the Discovery Park Enterprise Zone and the regeneration of the area.
- Proposed improvements to high speed services via Ashford, plus the circular services operating in both directions are welcomed, providing an all day service to Sandwich and Deal.
- Support is given to an approach to Government for a change in fares structure to ensure that passengers travelling from Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich will not pay a premium when travelling to St Pancras.
- Encouragement is given for more affordable off-peak fares to help promote tourism opportunities in the area. It is also regretted there will some loss of mainline services to East Kent.
Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member for Access said: "We strongly believe that reducing journey times is key to support regeneration. Government has identified the strategic case for improvements to the rail infrastructure to East Kent as one of the foundations for continuing and future growth. We look forward to seeing a timetable where high speed and mainline services join to provide a comprehensive rail service for the future of the area."
