Trains4Deal Dover Landslip Protest meeting at the BoHo Monday 11th Jan

Protest Meeting 
Monday 11 January 
at 8.30pm 
in 
The Bohemian, Beach Street, Deal.

full details at Trains4Deal site

Deal & Sandwich HS1 Funding Battle won!

From our colleagues at Trains4Deal:

 

Thank you for your support - continued pressure from rail users in Deal and Sandwich has had its first result! The existing HS services will now run after March next year, for at least a 6 month period. 

Talks continue on what will be in the timetables after October 2014. We will continue to press for this to include all-day and weekend HS, as promised.

TODAY's ANNOUNCEMENT
"The Department for Transport (DfT) has reached an agreement with Southeastern to continue providing a key high speed route between Sandwich and Deal as part of a six-month extension to the franchise.

The train operator currently runs eight services each week day from London St Pancras International using parts of the High Speed One (HS1) network.

Rail Minister Stephen Hammond said:
“This is good news for passengers and local businesses along the route and provides certainty in the short term. Over the coming months my officials will be looking at developing plans for the new direct award franchise and I am keen to see this vital route continue.

“We recognise the importance of strong transport links to communities and the benefits it delivers to economic growth locally. This is why we are investing record amounts into our rail network, improving services for passengers and getting the best deal for taxpayers.”

Passenger groups had raised concerns over the continued running of the service while the Department negotiated the extension to the existing franchise with Southeastern. The Rail Minister Stephen Hammond agreed that this important route should continue.

The current Southeastern franchise will end in October 2014, after which a direct award will be put in place to continue services until the new franchise starts in June 2018. This is currently being developed by the Department’s franchising team.

Charles Horton, Managing Director of Southeastern, said:
“Our high speed services continue to achieve some of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the country. We’re pleased to be able to continue to provide the service to Sandwich and Deal. We know our passengers value this service and the faster journey times to and from London.”

The service timetable can be viewed at: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/timetables

See full campaign updates at http://www.trains4deal.com
Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery

Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area
Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!
http://www.trains4deal.com
Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

#Trains4Deal please add to the 1,000 votes already received....

Trains4Deal campaign to continue the HS1 service to Deal & Sandwich from 31st March 2014 is well underway. 

Over a 1,000 users of the service have lodged their comments on how vital the service is to the town

Add your comments at their site http://www.trains4deal.com/

The campaign is also asking for people to print and display their new poster from artist Neill Kelly

HS1 Deal ... keep the pressure up

Thank you for all your support at this critical time as we try to influence the negotiations between the DfT and Southeastern on the future of our HS services.

 

Will they stop in March 2014?

 

...or will we get at least some of the long promised and eagerly awaited off-peak and weekend trains?

 

Please help us make the case by sending your story of why it matters to you - to  http://www.trains4deal.com/lobby.html

 

Keep an eye on the website for up-to-date news, and to see what others are saying.

Strength in numbers  - pass it on!

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com

Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area

Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!

http://www.trains4deal.com 

Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

Train4Deal - HST submission

Our colleagues at Trains4Deal have just submitted their business case for making the HST service to Deal full time day-long service.

"The new Kent rail franchise comes into operation in 2014. Trains4Deal wants the Government to include a full day and evening High Speed service in the service specification for the new franchise when it is published later this year.

It’s the only way we can be certain of keeping the level of service already enjoyed by every other community.

Kent’s railways are massively subsidised. Everywhere else in the county is featherbedded in comparison.

Deal and Sandwich shouldn’t have to go on being the poor relation. We are dealt with more harshly than every other Kent town on the HS1 network." T4D

Read about it in full here:
http://www.trains4deal.com/uploads/1/2/7/0/12706075/deal_report.pdf

Trains4Deal news

Last month we asked your opinion on possible timetable changes for the three direct HS trains from Deal and Sandwich in the mornings in the Dec 2012 timetable: should they drop the 05.56 in favour of a new 07.26?

Your detailed feedback resulted in KCC signing a contract with Southeastern to pay for the first 3 trains to run as now (05.56, 06.24 and 06.56). On balance it was felt important that the core of regular travellers on the early trains should be able to rely on those services continuing while numbers built up.

But your replies did show strong evidence of demand for that new 07.26 service to arrive at St Pancras at 08.49.

Your observations via Trains4deal on how useful this later train would be persuaded Southeastern to consider running this 4th morning train as well, as a commercial service. They say "subject to costs we'll also look to operating an additional 07.21 departure from Sandwich".

Hope that's good news! ....and of course we'll need your continuing support as we work towards getting a full service included in the new franchise

best wishes,

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com
Join the rail-users' group for the Deal and Sandwich area
Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal and Sandwich - NOW!
http://www.trains4deal.com

Trains4Deal report

Trains4deal was at last week's Southeastern Stakeholders' Forum in Gillingham, along with a contingent from Dover District Council.

We spoke about the results of our spot surveys of passenger usage of the new HS service for Deal and Sandwich (see latest updates on http://www.trains4deal.com ). Southeastern MD, Charles Horton, commented that Trains4deal probably know more about the figures than he did, and could we pass them on!

Our questions established that consultations on the level of service under new franchise (starting March 2014) will start in the new year. Southeastern said there was no prospect of any additional HS services to either Maidstone or Deal and Sandwich before then.

All Trains4deal supporters who are interested are invited to the next meeting of the the Kent branch of RAILFUTURE, which campaigns for better rail services and is a good supporter of our cause. It's this Saturday, 2pm at the Alma pub in West St. If you're thinking of attending, an RSVP would be appreciated and will be passed on to the organisers to help them prepare. The meeting will discuss rail issues generally in Kent, and Deal and Sandwich are certain to come up!

best wishes,

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com

Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area

Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!

http://www.trains4deal.com

Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

Great news for Deal and Sandwich commuters!

Great news for Deal and Sandwich commuters!

Three early morning direct HS services UP (departing Sandwich at 05:50, 06:18 and 06:50, calling at Deal six minutes later) and two early evening services back down (leaving St Pancras International at 17:40 and 18:40) will start A MONTH EARLY on 5th September.

The new services will operate Monday to Friday and will take approximately 90 minutes.

"The early start is a timely vote of confidence in the future of Deal and Sandwich from the rail operator," said IAN KILLBERY of campaign group Trains4deal.

"The new service aimed at local commuters starts just as Pfizer lay-offs begin to bite. A 90-minute commute opens new job opportunities for local people, and it will be popular with many Deal commuters who now drive to Dover or Ashford to catch the train."

Trains4deal will press for swift action to improve parking and drop-off facilities at both stations, to avoid parking chaos in nearby streets.

Next step in the Trains4deal campaign?

"The success of the high-speed Open Golf trains, which often ran with standing room only, shows the strength of pent-up demand for faster travel to and from East Kent. More direct HS trains during the day and at weekends are what the tourist trade and local businesses really need to bring people down from London," said TOM ROWLAND also of Trains4deal. "There are still HS trains lying idle during the day and at weekends; if the commuter service is well-used that will help make the case for using some to make further improvements to services on the Deal and Sandwich line."

More details at http://www.trains4deal.com

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com
Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area
Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!
http://www.trains4deal.com
Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

Well done Trains4Deal - HST is coming to Deal!

Following the KCC's recent rail summit it looks like we may be seeing the fast HST trains stopping in Deal. The local press has already annonced a limited service around the Open Golf tourament in July.

From our colleagues Trains4Deal website: " 

A Fast HS1 train service for Deal and Sandwich from October 2011.

Southeastern Trains is to start a high speed train service offering three trains each morning and three each evening connecting both Deal and Sandwich to London St Pancras in under 70 minutes from October this year.

The announcement was made at the Kent Rail Summit held in Maidstone on Wednesday 27 April.

The services will leave Sandwich at 05.51, 06.17 and 06.47 each morning and then call at Deal before following the established route via Dover to St Pancras.

The evening trains calling at Deal and Sandwich will depart from St Pancras at 17.40, 18.40 and at one later time to be announced nearer to the launch, said Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council.

The agreement follows the suggestion first made by Trains4Deal 18 months ago, at the inception of the campaign to get high speed Javelin trains to stop at the two towns.

These trains already pass through both stations empty. Now from October they are to be stopped and passengers allowed to board.

“This interim arrangement does little to aid commuters from outside the area wanting to get to Deal, Sandwich or the Pfizer site near Sandwich early in the day or home in the evenings,” said Ian Killbery from Trains4Deal.

Kent County Council has however prioritised the expansion of the new service to a full, all day high speed link between Deal, Sandwich and St Pancras as its key demand contained in the new Kent Rail Action Plan that was also launched at the Rail Summit.

This request is to be made to the Department for Transport for inclusion in the specification for the new rail franchise due to run from 2014.

“This is a key step along the way to getting Deal and Sandwich a modern, efficient rail service to rival those on offer in other towns of comparable size in Kent. But we are not there yet, the service will be of no use to those wanting to go to London and to take advantage of cheap or concession fares available later in the day,” said Tom Rowland from Trains4Deal."

Back the bid - Sustainable transport in Dover District!

Back the Bid!  
Deal With It are backing the bid are you?   

Tell DDC they should put in for a LOCAL SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SCHEME for DEAL and SANDWICH by 11 March!

On Feb 17, KCC asked districts to put forward bids for £5 million to improve local transport - only ONE will be chosen go forward as the Kent bid!

Revitalise our town centres
Each of these seaside market towns has compact residential areas and an historic centre in need of revitalisation.Following job losses in the former East Kent Coalfield, in Dover Port , and now the Pfizer closure, there is considerable net travel to work out of both towns.
Travel to work
New employment areas are mainly accessible by car, and often in out of town locations (Pfizer complex, Betteshanger Business Park).

Conservation and congestion
This bid aims to make a coherent network of safe shared walking and cycling routes into each town
centre, linking existing and potential employment areas (including the Pfizer site) to reduce congestion
and parking problems, and conserve the character ofthe historic central areas, whilst widening access to
work, education, health care and other opportunities, and shift travel behaviour.

Attract tourists
It will develop an inland shared route between thetowns, improving access to Fowlmead Country Park’s cycling facilities, and to Betteshanger Business Park. By making a circular route with the coastal NCR1, this will further boost the local economy through attracting walking and cycling tourists and leisure visitors to the area.

Existing cycling plan
Much of these schemes have been thoroughly developed and widely consulted on in the Dover Cycling Plan (KCC, DDC, 2008).

Under-used local railway
Central to this bid will be developing the presently very under-used local railway line as the heart of of an integrated driver of local regeneration.

A258 problems
The Dover­ Ramsgate line gives Deal and Sandwich the slowest journey times and poorest frequency
service in Kent (1 train per hour). With more trains, it could offer attractively fast inter-town journey timescompared to poor local roads such as the A258 (Dover ­ Deal ­ Sandwich) which is not scheduled for improvement.

High speed trains
KCC’s Action Plan for Rail (2011) prioritises the extension of the Dover high speed train serviclong the line, which would both dramatically reduce the travel time to London and other growth points at Ashford and Thames Gateway, and also double the service frequency on the local line Dover ­Ramsgate.
Stations at heart of local networks
The bid will place the two stations at the heart of local networks (cycling, walking, taxis, buses),
with improved disabled access, reinforcing the impact of the journey time savings.

Better travel to Pfizers NOW!
It offers an immediate solution fo enhance connections to the Pfizer
site, meeting the needsof a world-class science park and research centre whilst it is being established without waiting years for the construction of a new Thanet Parkway station.

Access to work, education and health
It will also improve access from Dover and Folkestone to emerging employment opportunities up the line in the Pfizer site, Manston airport, Thanet business parks. With improved network connectivity and resilience, all the coastal towns will benefit from better all day and evening access to education (schools, FE colleges and universities), hospitals, retail and leisure facilities.
High speed rail start-up support
The bid will include the start-up costs of the new rail service, which can be accomplished largely within existing rail resources (rolling stock, infrastructure) but has not been allowed for within the existing franchise, which runs until 2014. If necessary (according to the DfT) this could be accomplished by a ‘carve­out’ to separate the finances of this investment from the current revenue support for the TOC as a whole.
Unique opportunity
The bid offers a unique opportunity to effect a stepchange in the fortunes of an area now in flux, giving a decisive nudge to travel behaviours at a time when new patterns are being set, whilst supporting badly ­needed regeneration.
Make sure YOUR local councillors don’t miss this chance!
Find out more and send them an email from: www.trains4deal.com

Trains4Deal: Open the Gate!

1. WHY STATION ACCESS IS IMPORTANT

When we get the HS service to Deal and Sandwich (and we're convinced we will before too long), it will be critical to improve access to the stations.

We've seen the problems at Dover Priory, where the surge in demand for car parking has spilled out into the surrounding streets - and it;s very difficult to find anywhere to park. (Did you know - 65% of Dover to London tickets sold are now via HS?)

At Deal, we're pushing for the disused Network Rail land next to the down platform (arriving from London) to be opened up in advance of our HS service.

Our "OPEN THE GATE" campaign asks for immediate action to re-open the existing station access road (see http://tinyurl.com/4b4rdps  ).

Next step is to use this space to create:

- more badly-needed car- and taxi-parking spaces,;

- a pick-up / drop-off zone for elderly and mobility-impaired travellers;

- better bus stops nearer the station

- safer access to walk and ride bikes to the station, which many commuters and leisure travellers will welcome.

We're also saying this could be a useful link in the local cycle network, creating a safe off-road cycling- and walking-path towards Fowlmead for all the tourists who will  come down on the HS train to explore our attractive coast and countryside, as well as for local families.

We're supporting this case at a CYCLE FORUM meeting at the ROYAL HOTEL on Deal seafront on Mon 31st Jan, 6.16 to 8pm (open to all). 

We'll be pressing to improve access to Deal station - critical for when we get the high-speed service - and for safer cycle- and walking-routes to Fowlmead.

More at http://tunyurl/cycleforum - if you ride a bike and want better cycle routes, please come!

2. PARKING PROBLEMS AT DOVER PRIORY - IS THIS A SOLUTION?

We pass on the message from Relyon Transport without recommendation or endorsement from Trains4deal - we haven't tried it.

It might be of help while we're still working to get a direct HS service, for which, of course, it is no substitute - let us know what you think.

Secure Parking for HS Rail link just £4 per day!.

Dear Commuters!

We are writing to advise you of alternative 24 hour secure parkingarrangements available in Dover for those wishing to use the HS service from Dover Priory to London.Secure parking and free shuttle bus service is available at Family runbusiness Relyon Transport ( trading for 26 years ) in Poulton Close, CoombeValley Road in Dover CT17 0HL.

The cost is just £12 for three days parking and £4 per day thereafter andcan be made easily by debit or credit card.Customers wishing to use this service are advised to arrive at the depot, 15

minutes before their HS Service is due when journey time to the station by

free shuttle bus takes about 10 minutes. Return transportation back to the

depot can be booked in advance or ordered by mobile phone once the train is

a few stops from Dover Priory station.

All Commuters will save themselves time if they book in advance although

this is not essential.

Secure parking Bookings and enquiries can be made with Dave or Rosie by

phone email or fax at the following:

email :  relyontransport@btconnect.com

Phone 01304 201227

Fax 01304 241058

--------------------------------

More news at http://www.trains4deal.com 

best wishes,

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com

Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area

Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!

http://www.trains4deal.com 

Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

Trains4Deal AGM

Please help us keep up the great momentum of the campaign! 

Come to Trains4Deal's Annual meeting:
in The Alma, West St Deal, as before.
on Monday 6th December (in two weeks' time)
at 7.30 pm.

Tell your friends and make sure there's lots of support to hear guest speaker, Cllr Julie Rook, Kent county councillor for Deal.

She will report on progress towards top-level action at County Hall on better rail services for Deal and Sandwich.

Next Monday, 29th November, Trains4deal will be at Southeastern's Stakeholder Forum in Tonbridge
Help us represent YOUR views.

Their  Managing Director, Charles Horton, will present their plans for the remaining four years of the franchise, followed by plenty of time for questions.

The company says, "We are now half way through our franchise and would be interested in your feedback in how Southeastern has performed.
This is a particularly challenging time for the rail industry and we look forward to hearing your views."

How well have they performed? What do you think?

A number of Trains4deal supporters are keen to organise a demonstration outside the meeting hall in Tonbridge. It's not an open public meeting, but they want to make sure Southeastern's top managers are fully aware of local anger and outrage at our continuing dreadful service. Transport can be arranged. Click on our website for details, and email mailto:admin@trains4deal.com urgently if you'd like to join in,

best wishes,

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com
Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area
Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!

News from Trains4Deal...

Soon news from our colleagues in Trains4Deal [and as someone who did the 45min wait at windy Dover while the HST customers waited for the local Deal train (except it was over 50mins tonight!) I personally cannot wait] ....

Trains4deal welcomes more last-minute changes for Southeastern's December timetable for PEAK TIME EVENINGS that benefit Deal and Sandwich rail-users:

(1) NEW 1724 from Cannon Street, arr. Deal 1933, Sandwich 1939

This gives a better (but not brilliant) connection at Dover for the 1740 high-speed from St Pancras, reducing your wait at Dover from 46 mins to 25!

It also fills a one hour gap in the Dover - Ramsgate service.

We'll still only have one direct train from Cannon St - see (3) below.

(2) NEW 1821 from Charing Cross, arr. Deal 2019, Sandwich 2025.

By not calling at Marden or Pluckley, this new service will hold the current speed record for the Charing Cross line - London to Deal in 1 hour 58 mins! (shows it can be done!)

(3) 1808 from Cannon St will run via Canterbury instead, but you could catch it , change at London Bridge (or maybe Ashford) onto the new 1821 from Charing Cross, and still get back home at the same time.

These evening changes are additional to the morning peak time changes announced previously. Full details at http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk

WINTER EMERGENCY TIMETABLE

Last winter's snow severely disrupted services on our line.

It was particularly frustrating when snow elsewhere in Kent stopped the Charing Cross trains getting through while the high-speed trains managed to keep running (even on the third rail track).

Trains4deal welcomes Southeastern's plan to run separate services, Charing Cross - Ashford and Ashford - Ramsgate when there's a winter emergency.

We'll press for priority to link our stations with the high-speed services at either Dover or Ramsgate in the vent of serious snoe - so our area isn't left completely stranded.

HAVE YOU ANY COMMENTS?

Trains4deal will be at the Southeastern Stakeholders Forum on 29 November - please send in any issues you want us to raise with Southeastern managers.

OUR CAMPAIGN FOR DIRECT HIGH SPEED TRAINS

Deal County Councillor JULIE ROOK reports that discussions re. a trial of direct high-speed services during the Open Golf next July are "looking good".

KCC is looking at doing an independent survey of passenger satisfaction, an issue raised at the Kent Rail Summit:

The full Kent Rail Summit debate is on-line, together with the presentations from KCC and Southeastern. All are available by clicking the underlined words.

Trains4Deal News:

At Thursday's Kent Rail Summit in Maidstone, senior KCC transport strategists revealed to an audience including Trains4deal that the extension of the high speed service HS 1 to Deal is now a top priority in the council's submissions to the Department for Transport (DfT) for the specification of Kent's rail services under the new franchise, due to run from 2014.
“The promotion of Deal to the top of the list of changes the county council is lobbying for is good news and very encouraging,” Julie Rook , county councillor for Deal told the Summit, “We have just got to keep this campaign going - it makes no sense to exclude Deal from the high speed train network. I will be pressing for an early meeting with the transport minister.”



Read the full story at http://www.trains4deal.com.

Trains4Deal: Local Councils asking for your opinion

From our colleagues in Trains4Deal - "Please help by telling the East Kent councils that we need direct High-Speed trains to Deal (and Sandwich) - NOW!

They are conducting a survey on what people think of the new High Speed train services.

Please click on this link to complete the survey Train Services in Kent Online Survey (http://www.eastkentlsp.org.uk/files/webfm/site/eklsp_highspeedtrain.htm).

See questions 21 and 31, which give you a chance to add your own suggestions. 

Next month, Trains4deal will be at the 2nd Kent Rail Summit in Maidstone., speaking up for local rail users to Kent MPs, county councillors, key railway managers and the Department of Transport, as well as other rail user groups.

Make sure that the Survey results confirm  local people's anger at the current poor service -

Complete it NOW (and let us know what you say)

best wishes,

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com

Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area

Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!

http://www.trains4deal.com "

Trains4Deal : Talk to the Rail Managers on the 19th August

From our colleagues at Trains4Deal - If you're travelling to London tomorrow, Thursday 19th August, via  St.Pancras - this is your opportunity to show the railway company that  there is a real demand from passengers for direct high-speed trains to  Deal.

 From 8am to 10am, Southeastern managers will be on the platform at St 
Pancras, waiting to hear what passengers have to say.

If you can, please make sure they hear about the problems of  travelling to and from Deal, and ask them WHY they won't stop the high- speed trains at Deal - especially the morning and evening ones that 
run through empty.

http://www.trains4deal.com

ps If you cannot make thursday, the will next opportunity to talk to SouthEastern will be at Charing Cross on 23rd  September, also 0800-1000.

'Open the Gate' at Deal Railway Station

Our colleagues in Trains4Deal are campaigning with the new mayor to get the london rd gate platform open - at the moment if you are disabled, got a pram or cycle you have a problem getting back over the footbridge..

They are asking everybody to email a complaint to SouthEastern Railways & National Rail ... full details at their website - http://trains4deal.com/

Trains4Deal - new initiative

Trains4Deal have published their plans to deliver HST's to Deal in 2011.

It is envisaged that there would a small amount of building work then do a market test of HST at Deal in 2011 which would establish the business case for refranchising of the service in 2014 read full story here

Railway Children at the Astor 16th May - Trains4Deal

Trains4Deal event coming up at the Astor on Sunday the 16^th May at 6pm.

 

Trains4Deal are showing the newly released, digitally re-mastered version of the family favourite The Railway Children in an awareness-raising event for their campaign to get fast rail links to Deal. We hope you will join us in what promises to be a great evening.  The bar will be open and following the screening there will be a chance to network and chat to other members of the audience and representatives of the Trains4deal team.

 

For more details about the Trains4deal campaign, and to see the latest update,  please visit the website: www.trains4deal.com

 

Tickets for The Railway Children are available on the door £6 adults, £3 children, children under 5yrs free

Trains4Deal Update: KCC now support HST at Deal

Our colleagues in the local Trains4Deal campaign have passed on the following:

• As previously announced, there's virtually no change in Southeastern's  May timetable
• But KCC's  Geoff Mee head of strategic transport planning has announced that the final version of the KCC transport strategy Growth without Gridlock would back high speed trains for Deal.
• They are encouraging all those who support the campaign to raise HSTs with the candidates
• Full report at Trains4Deal website at http://www.trains4deal.com/