Hugh Robertson 'optimistic' after talks on Faversham with Rail Chief

Hugh Robertson described himself as 'optimistic' following a meeting with Charles Horton, MD of Southeastern.

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham, described himself as ‘optimistic’ following a meeting with Charles Horton, MD of Southeastern, the rail franchise company responsible for operating trains to Faversham, last week. The meeting took place to discuss the introduction of High Speed Train services to Faversham in 2009.

The background to the meeting was the work that Southeastern had been doing to validate the initial timetable and specification given to them by the Department of Transport when they won the franchise. Southeastern hope to announce a new timetable by the end of this year at which point it will go out for consultation. The new timetable will show how the High Speed Service will be integrated into the existing service.

Hugh Robertson said, “I was enormously encouraged by my meeting with Southeastern’s Managing Director. They clearly see Faversham as the key rail hub in our part of Kent and want to develop services accordingly.

My first priority is to maintain and improve the current service to our existing destinations as this is vital for Faversham’s commuting population. Thereafter, I want to see Faversham benefit from the new High Speed Service which will open up Canary Wharf and connections to the north of the country for people living in Faversham”.