Survey shows need for trains

PRESSURE is mounting on Southeastern and the Government to ditch plans that could see key services used by commuters in Borough Green and West Malling scrapped.

Campaigners say they have fresh evidence that conclusively proves there is a need for services between West Malling and London Bridge and Cannon Street.

Southeastern plans to scrap 18 peak and off-peak weekday trains and all weekend services into the city on the Maidstone East line from December, including the 9.01am from West Malling and the 7.14pm service back from Cannon Street.

Campaigners say the cuts will impact on all commuters using the Maidstone East line including residents from Kings Hill, West Malling, Borough Green, Ightham, and Kemsing.

Malling MP Sir John Stanley is one of four MPs who wrote to Rail Minister Chris Mole on Friday demanding the services be retained. They provided submissions from eight organisations including rail travel groups and Kings Hill developer Liberty.

The result of a survey carried out by Malling and District Rail Travellers Association and Maidstone Area Rail Users Group was also included.

Sir John said: "This has been a very big operation and we think we have produced a totally conclusive case for these rail services to continue."

Malling and District Rail Travellers Association chairman Felipe Alviar-Baquero said the survey highlighted the concealed demand for city trains.

"So many people are travelling to other stations," he said.

He added, far from the services being cut on the Maidstone East line, they should be extended to peak times, allowing more people from the area direct access to the City rather than to Victoria.

Mr Alviar-Baquero also argued commuters were already travelling to other stations such as Sevenoaks and this would make over-crowding and parking worse.

Kenden Parking LLP said if the train services were axed it may be forced to reconsider investing £500,000 in a "state-of-the-art" car park at West Malling Station.

A letter included in the submissions from the parking firm to Malling Railway Travellers Group read: "With the amount of homes and businesses in the area it is astounding that such a move should even be considered."

Another submission came from Kings Hill developer Liberty. In a letter to Sir John, associate director of marketing and leasing Caroline Binns said: "The case remains for Kent county Council's flagship business park and mixed use sustainable community to benefit from a train service to match the needs and environmental goals of 21st century business."

Both the Department of Transport and Southeastern said this week they would consider the results of the survey and other submissions.