Hugh Robertson raises issues on Maidstone/Ashford line in Parliamentary Rail debate

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, has used a Parliamentary debate on the North Kent line to raise the ongoing issue of the service on the Maidstone/Ashford line.

He has received a considerable number of complaints from constituents, particularly those living in Bearsted, whose lives have been severely disrupted by the timetable changes caused by the integration of the high speed line.

Hugh Robertson previously accompanied fellow MPs Sir John Stanley and Ann Widdecombe to a meeting with a Minister to discuss the deterioration in the service. The reduction in provision to accommodate the new high speed services has caused many commuters either longer journeys or an inability to get home in time for family commitments in the evening.

Hugh Robertson said, “There was always going to be some disruption with the introduction of the new high speed service. However, the new timetable has not been integrated sufficiently skilfully by the Department for Transport with the result that disruption has occurred.

I want the Department to review this as a priority with the specific intention of redressing the balance. There is no reason why the introduction of the new timetable should have resulted in such widespread disruption for so many existing users.”