Robert Marshall-Andrews

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Medway’s Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Bob Marshall-Andrews MP has met with the Transport Minister Kim Howells to discuss Medway’s future domestic railway services using the phase two CTRL link into St Pancras.  Bob and his fellow MP’s, from Medway and Gravesend, impressed upon the Minister the need to dramatically improve services, frequency and journey time, in and out of London, especially in the light of the year-long closure of the Strood Higham Tunnel.

Dr Kim Howells MP has undertaken a commitment to visit Strood Higham tunnel engineering works in the very near future.

Bob Marshall-Andrews said, “Upon it’s reopening, in January 2005, the new Strood Higham tunnel will be Medway’s link to CTRL’s fast track into London.  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) consultation announcement, earlier this month, on CTRL 'domestic services' running into London via Ebbsfleet is excellent news for Medway.”

“Medway – London services are now part of the core domestic service, located firmly on the CTRL map.  With the firm proposal for a good number trains per hour from Medway into east and north London we will be able to truly reap the success of the Thames Gateway project.”

“And our local economy will not only benefit from commuters having an improved service to London.  It will also benefit from the Capital’s growth areas of the Docklands and East London having good access to Medway”