Update 16 March 2021

The Kent Rail Strategy 2021 has been approved by KCC's Cabinet and is available to download from the Summary of Results section below.

Update 15 January 2021

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Kent Rail Strategy 2021 consultation. The Consultation Report is now available in the Summary of Results section below.

The final Strategy and Consultation Report will be considered by Members (Councillors) at KCC’s Cabinet on 25 January 2021 for approval. Once approved the final Strategy will be uploaded to this page.

We are consulting on the draft of the Kent Rail Strategy 2021.

The Strategy aims to influence train services in the county for the next decade. It sets out the requirements we consider are needed for rail infrastructure enhancements to keep pace with increased demand for the service. This includes ensuring there is an expanded fleet of new High Speed trains, a replacement fleet for the Metro services and improvements to station facilities and communications.

The Strategy also looks at transport priorities for the next decade including environmental issues, by encouraging more people out of their cars and on to trains and by persuading moving freight operators to move from road to rail.

We want to make sure the voices of our communities, businesses and partners are heard to ensure our rail network will help deliver economic growth and to represent what Kent’s travelling public want and need.

The 12th annual Rail Summit took place online on the 13 October 2020. You can view a recording of the webinar on Kent.gov.uk or by clicking this link.

New Class 800 train design that could provide the bespoke additional fleet required for Kent’s High Speed services

What happens after the consultation?

Following the consultation your responses will be analysed and compiled into a consultation report, which will help produce the final version of the Rail Strategy. The final Strategy will then be presented to KCC’s Cabinet on 25 January 2021 for approval.

The consultation report, updated EqIA and final Strategy will be available on this page and on kent.gov.uk by 3 February 2021.
Alternative formats: If you require any of the consultation material in an alternative format or language please email alternativeformats@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 42 15 53 (text relay service number: 18001 03000 42 15 53). This number goes to an answering machine, which is monitored during office hours.

Privacy: KCC collects and processes personal information in order to provide a range of public services. KCC respects the privacy of individuals and endeavours to ensure personal information is collected fairly, lawfully, and in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Read the full Privacy Notice.

Timeline

  • Opened
    23 Sep 2020 at 09:00
  • Closed
    17 Nov 2020 at 23:59
  • Response Published
    15 Jan 2021

Details

Consulting Organisation Type
  • Kent County Council
Consulting Organisation Name Kent County Council
District / Borough areas affected by the consultation
  • Ashford
  • Canterbury
  • Dartford
  • Dover
  • Gravesham
  • Maidstone
  • Medway
  • Sevenoaks
  • Folkestone and Hythe
  • Swale
  • Thanet
  • Tonbridge & Malling
  • Tunbridge Wells
Consultation Topic
  • General interest
  • Traffic, transport and roads
Consultation Methods
  • Online survey / questionnaire / forms
  • Other survey / questionnaire / forms
  • Stakeholder event
Contact Details

Transport Strategy Team,
Kent County Council,
Invicta House,
Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XX

Email: kentrailstrategy2021@kent.gov.uk