Trains are like ‘cattle trucks’

The shocking state of the rail system in Kent was highlighted by the Tory council head in a letter to transport minister Kim Howells.

He is asking for urgent assurances the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), the body in charge of Britain’s railways, is committed to bringing the county’s network into the 21st Century.

Sir Sandy said: “Kent is a home county next to London, yet it still takes two hours to get from the capital to the east Kent coast, longer than it takes from London to York.

“Many commuters are paying handsomely for the privilege of standing all the way to and from London, every day, to travel by what could better be described as cattle trucks, rather than modern rail services.” KCC is calling for the rail system to be improved before approving a planned population increase expected to come with the building of 30,000 new homes in north Kent. It also claims business and commercial opportunities are being missed because the county lacks a suitable transport infrastructure.

Sir Sandy added: “Better rail services would significantly improve the Kent economy and quality of life.

“We need a 21st-century railway and not a 19th-century system where it is no faster to get to Kent than the days of steam trains.” The criticism of the rail network came at the same time as commuters learned season ticket fares are set to rise by more than inflation next year.

A former ban, which kept rises to one per cent below inflation, has been removed by the SRA and commuters are facing a four per cent rise in January.

John Grubb, of the North West Kent Rail Users’ Group, said: “I agree something needs to be done.

“The Government needs to start thinking about the money and getting the infrastructure in place before 80,000 houses are built as it is commuters who don’t get value for money.” l What do you think? Write to News Shopper, Mega House, Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, Orpington, BR5 1BT.