Clarification on Maidstone Downs Mail December 2009 Story: Parkway Rail Station Would Cut Journey Times

12.14.00pm GMT Mon 30th Nov 2009

Malcolm Robertson, Lib Dem County Councillor for Maidstone Central, wishes to clarify the following points raised in this newspaper article:

• The positive proposal for establishing a Maidstone Parkway Station is contained within the recently released KCC draft consultation document, "Growth Without Gridlock, an integrated transport strategy for Kent". The KCC Conservative Cabinet Member, Mr Nick Chard, has clearly authorised the release of this document for consultation.

• The KCC proposal does not name a site but the High Speed Rail line, HS1, is essentially only in the Maidstone area between the tunnel portal at Cossington (Bluebell Hill) and Hollingbourne. The number of possible practical sites is very limited. A good highway connection would be needed.

• The Downs Mail article mixes quotations from me with journalistic editorial opinion and fails to distinguish between the two.

• I am opposed to KIG. I have made no statements that link KIG with the KCC proposed Maidstone Parkway Station. I know nothing whatsoever about possible employment numbers at KIG and have made no comments on such matters. Any such comments in the article are journalistic.

• I am Maidstone Borough Council's Railways Champion. In that capacity, I do welcome any opportunity to investigate ways to improve the County Town's connectivity with the national railways network. That is all this is. I certainly have many caveats in my mind, but the proposal must be fully examined.

• There are other proposals such as the Network Rail Kent Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) option to bring a future HST service into Maidstone West station from Ebbsfleet on the classic rail lines along the Medway Valley. Such a service, whilst adding to passenger comfort, would not cut journey times substantially. However, it could probably be established much quicker than a Maidstone Parkway Station. There is currently limited car parking near Maidstone West.