Full High Speed services launch in Ashford
Ashford will
now have two super-fast trains to London every hour, all day every
day, following the launch of the full High Speed timetable.
Ashford’s Future helped make the Monday
morning commute a little brighter with a special giveaway outside
the new and improved Ashford International Station on
14th December.
Staff spent the morning outside the new and
improved domestic station forecourt to greet commuters, and handed
out around 400 goodie bags with free coffee and bacon rolls –
supplied by the domestic station’s new café Blooms – along with
train timetables, season ticket card holders and special fortune
cookies containing chances to win high speed tickets for the family
inside.
A three-piece jazz band helped to keep things
festive for passing passengers.
Key Ashford stakeholders, including Ashford
Borough Council leader Paul Clokie, chief executive John Bunnett
and Ashford’s Future managing director Judith Armitt, travelled to
London for Southeastern’s official launch event at London St
Pancras for 10am.
Ashford’s Future managing director Judith
Armitt said: “High speed rail is one of the most important economic
boosts to come to Ashford, and we were delighted to celebrate its
full arrival this week.
“Having a fast, reliable rail service to the
capital on your doorstep is a major attraction for outside
businesses, and Ashford’s competitive property prices and exciting
regeneration plans will only sweeten the deal for potential new
investors.”
Leader of Ashford Borough Council Paul Clokie
added: “These regular High Speed services will make a huge
difference to our resident commuters, who will be getting two hours
of their life back thanks to these trains.
“But this is not just about commuting to London; it is also about
London head offices having access to cheaper office space down
here, within in easy reach of the capital and Europe, with short
journey times.
“It also means people from Ashford will be
able to enjoy the buzz of London’s nightlife and attractions, and
have a shorter and more relaxing journey home than even some
Londoners!”
Southeastern’s full High Speed timetable
slashes journey times between Ashford and London from 88mins to
37mins on the Hitachi bullet trains.
A preview of the fast service has been running
since June and as of Sunday 13th December, high speed
trains will now run every half-hour until after 11pm every day,
with the last fast train to Ashford leaving London at 00.12am
(23.42pm Sundays).
The new twice-hourly service means shorter
commutes, fast access to the capital’s attractions day and night,
and major economic benefits to Ashford’s commercial and housing
market.
Media release 0398/09
15/12/2009
This webpage was updated on
8/16/2010