Destination Bexhill?
Preview services have already begun, and from December 2009 High Speed Javelin services will open up a potentially fast new route to and from London of around 1 hour 40 minutes. For the forseeable future, it will be necessary to change trains at Ashford, but upgrading the Marshlink to allow direct services could deliver a journey time of 1 hour 15 minutes to Bexhill instead of the current 1 hour 52 minutes via Haywards Heath. For Hastings the journey time to and from London could be reduced to just over an hour.
Contrary to popular belief, this would not require construction of a new line, just the long overdue electrification of the Marshlink line between Ore and Ashford, as well as some double-tracking and upgrading of signalling systems on the route. This would also enable the Brighton - Ashford service to be operated with electric trains, solving the problem of overcrowding on the 2 car diesel units currently used to operate the service.
Kent towns such as Folkestone, Dover and Broadstairs are smaller than Bexhill, but will all be enjoying Javelin services from this December. Why shouldn't we?
The government and local politicians have promised us Regeneration for the last decade. Here's a way to really make it happen!
Last updated 15th August 2009.