Posted 20th November 2013 | 6 Comments
End of the line in sight for boat train route
A BRANCH line in Kent which hasn't seen a train for some time is set to close, said Network Rail.
The Folkestone Harbour branch has not been used by National Rail services since 2001, and has only catered for occasional charters since then.
Now Network Rail has carried out an assessment, which 'concluded it would not be financially appropriate or responsible to continue to maintain it'.
The electrified double track branch was once busy with boat trains, but their passengers have long since transferred to other routes, including the Eurostars which skirt Folkestone on their way to the continent.
Network Rail has sent a recommendation to the Department for Transport that the line should close 'at the earliest opportunity', but a consultation will be completed first.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, said: “We have carried out an extensive assessment of the Folkestone Harbour branch line, taking all aspects into consideration. We feel it would be irresponsible of us to continue to maintain this unused line, largely at the taxpayers’ expense, at a time when we are doing all we can to make the rest of our business more efficient.
“The consultation is an opportunity to comment on these proposals and ensure that all opinions are taken into consideration before a final decision is made.”
The consultation will end on 21 February.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
PVWB, San Francisco
You would have thought after all the millions of pounds
that have been spent putting back rail that was thought
"no longer needed", we would have learned our lesson
that it's always far more expensive to put track back than
leave it in place, but I guess not!
Lutz, London
Makes sense to get rid of redundant infrastructure so that the money can be spent where it is needed, and the idea for a linear park sounds appealing.
Joe Grey, Folkestone
Whilst Mr Hart's suggestion is probably theoretically doable, i' not sure that there would be sufficient demand to justify it even taking into account the Harbour Development. There is a fair amount of traffic between Folkestone and Canterbury, but less so to the Medway Towns. And ianyone going from Folkestone the West End already have teh options of direct to Charing Cross, change at Ashford for Victoria, or HS1 to St Pancras and then the tube. All of which are likely to be quicker than this proposal.
A local group insists that it makes sense to have a light rail service from Folk Central to the Harbour (even though it's so circuitous that walking is almost as fast). But the likely outcome is for it to turn into a linear park from the harbour into the heart of the town's eastern area. Which seems to be what most local peopel want.
Chris, Hastings
If anything is typical, it's that Brian 'BML2' Hart thinks there is a sensible case for keeping open the Folkestone Harbour Branch. I'm afraid this will only confirm in most people's minds that your favoured reopenings are solutions in search of a problem. How could a service via Dover, with it's slower journey time compared to Ashford, possibly justify all the costs involved? Utter madness.
Paul, Canterbury, Kent
Brian, far people live closer to Folestone Central station, than the harbour backwater. You could run the extended service from Dover into re-opened platforms at the Central station at far lower cost.
Brian Hart, Uckfield
The consultation is just a sop - a decision has already been made - it will close and the land sold off for short-term gain to the treasury. A proper railway company would put in a new connection at Folkestone East so that the Victoria-Canterbury East-Dover Priory services could be extended to Folkestone (Harbour) where new residential development is coming. This would give Folkestone direct rail access to Canterbury, the Medway Towns and London's West End. This could all be financed by selling the land once occupied by the old exchange sidings at Folkestone East. A single, electrified line is all that's needed. A great opportunity for the future about to be missed. How typical.