'Passenger rail link to Grain being put out for tender is welcome news' - say local Lib Dems
image by Alan Wells
Liberal Democrats welcome the news that Medway Council is putting the Hoo rail project out to tender, to extend the existing third rail electrification system onto the Grain line. We have pushed for progress in this direction from the first consultation, and we have called for an upgrade to the existing 19km Grain Branch line, which is a freight-only line that connects the Isle of Grain to the North Kent Line at Hoo Junction.
We believe that there is a strong case for re-introducing a rail passenger service and reopening the rail line would go a long way to improving public transport on the Peninsula. Currently, travel time from the Peninsula to Medway's urban areas and beyond is only accessible by car, contributing to pollution and road congestion. This would offer the opportunity for those who live in the nearby villages to board and leave the trains local to where they live by the extension of passenger services to Grain and the villages in-between.
The Council's planned interchange option at Gravesend to link to locations across Medway, which we have criticised, called into question the sustainability of the development if there is an over reliance on cars. The absence of the Higham Curve, preventing a train service covering Hoo and the rest of the Medway Towns, showed a lack of ambition meaning that a service extension to Thamesport and Grain being written off. We proposed that instead of terminating at Gravesend, the line was routed and connected to the Southbound track utilising open land to the South of the track. Passengers could interchange at Higham Station to travel Westbound towards London and the train service could continue to the Medway towns.
Andrew Millsom, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "At present, residents on the Peninsula are not getting the full benefit from the towns' transport links because their homes are only accessible by car. When the Council focuses housebuilding efforts on the edge of our towns, it means that Medway's train stations are a long drive away for many residents. A rail link using the existing track from Grain, to establish a regular train service to London, would allow these rural populations access to Medway and London. As well as the environmental benefits, a rail link from Grain would provide a vital lifeline for local residents who do not have access to cars, who need travel opportunities to access employment, health and educational services.
This news is the latest in a list of Lib Dem victories, with a large part of our environment response to HIF having been taken on board by the Council. More-so, this news is an excellent example of the successful leverage of Government funding driven by planned housing growth to support the local economy through a significant enhancement to the passenger rail network."
ENDS
Additional Information and text for Editors:
The existing line will require enhancements to enable passenger services to operate while maintaining freight services. In order to do this, new sections of dual track will have to be installed to create loops where trains can pass each other. The works will also include the construction of a new station around the mid-point of this line, south of Sharnal Street. For more information about the tender please go to:
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/contractors-wanted-to-restore-passenger-services-to-kent-freight-line-11-03-2022