Press Releases for 2004

RAIL SERVICES CUTS 'WILL MAROON VILLAGERS AND DAMAGE ENVIRONMENT THROUGHOUT KENT'

16th February 2004

Shocking village rail service cuts proposed by the Strategic Rail Authority will undermine rail usage and generate many new car journeys in East Kent (1). The proposed new Integrated Kent Franchise will mean cuts in village services to Charing, Chartham and Chilham. Chartham and Chilham are to have no services at all on Sundays! Hazel Dawe comments:

"With a rising population, we need more rail services to all stations, or we face increased congestion throughout Kent. Communities with many commuters like Westgate, Chestfield-Swalecliffe, Teynham and Newington are excluded from new high speed services altogether, in these proposals. Big cuts in village services are also planned for Adisham, Bekesbourne, Kearsney and Martin Mill.

"Since train users include young people, the elderly and school students in East Kent village communities, the Strategic Rail Authority is creating a new form of social exclusion from public services. It is also bound to cause far more traffic movements by its proposals, damaging attempts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is not joined-up Government. The Green Party wants services to be maintained, reflecting big population increases in Kent with thousands of people each year leaving London for the County. The Strategic Rail Authority is making a direct attack on rural Kent, marooning people in villages where about 22% of households do not have access to a car. We urge people to make comments to the Strategic Rail Authority by the deadline of 23rd April 2004." ENDS c250 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Hazel Dawe on 01233 645167 or 07960 956272. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH.

Notes: 1. The train service consultation document is at: http://www.sra.gov.uk/publications/consultation/IKF_consultation/IKF_doc

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