A number of proposals to develop the rail network serving the South East in the draft Kent Area Route Study that is currently out for consultation. The consultation opened on 14 March 2017 for three months.
Ebbsfleet Southern Link
A scheme has been developed that could provide a connection to Ebbsfleet International from the line that runs from HS1 to Fawkham Junction, which was formerly used by Eurostars to access London Waterloo. It has been recently used to store Eurostars. This proposal would offer an alternative route into Ebbsfleet and a helpful route from south London.
Canterbury Chords
Two chords have been proposed between the Ashford to Canterbury West and Faversham to Canterbury East lines. A western chord in the Chartham area could create a direct route between Faversham and Ashford improving north-south connectivity across Kent. A southern chord could improve network resilience with the exposed railway line between Folkestone and Dover.
New railway stations
A number of railway stations have been noted.
- Thanet Parkway
- Camberwell
- East Brixton
- Otterpool Park – Garden Town
- Gillingham Stadium