Charing Cross Direct Trains from Folkestone saved: Southeastern revise draft timetable

2.39.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Sep 2009

Southeastern have reinstated direct peak time trains during peak hours from Folkestone to Charing Cross following a Lib Dem motion to Shepway Council calling for urgent lobbying to protect those direct train services to Charing Cross from Folkestone.

Following a meeting between southeastern and "Rail for Folkestone", southeastern have amended the draft timetable to come into force from December to ensure there will now be an hourly direct service from Folkestone Central, Folkestone West, Sandling and Westenhanger to Charing Cross in the morning peak. As well as this, southeastern has provided an additional train from Folkestone to Cannon Street, to serve City commuters.

A Southeastern spokesperson said:

"We want to work with local authorities and stakeholders to give them the best possible service. We are pleased to have been able to meet Shepway's aspirations."

The new High Speed service to St Pancras starts its full timetable on 13 December, with a half-hourly service in the peak periods and hourly for the rest of the day. The journey time will be between 54 and 59 minutes, a timing below the hour for which the Rail for Folkestone Group has long campaigned. There will also be a preview High Speed service starting on 7 September, with two trains from Folkestone Central and Folkestone West to St Pancras in the morning peak and two back in the evening peak.

Highlights of the new timetable:

• Fast trains to St Pancras in under an hour

• Regular direct services to Charing Cross and London Cannon Street at peak times

• Half hourly direct services to Charing Cross during off peak times and on Saturdays.

• Doubling of present off-peak services to Charing Cross from Sandling (for Hythe) and Westenhanger.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Prater welcomed the move, calling it positive for Folkestone and Shepway. He said:

"The Lib Dems have been highlighting the loss of these services to Shepway Council and directly with southeastern since the draft timetable was launched, and it's really good news to see that a direct service has been reinstated.

"With direct services into Charing Cross, Cannon Street and St Pancras during the peak now, Folkestone can reasonably say it will have some of the best connections to London of any town in the country. southeastern need to remember to cater for all its customers - not just those who want to get to St Pancras and pay premium prices."

Related Link:

Shepway rail stations draft timetable to London from December 2009.