Faster, busier, fuller
Branch lines, commuter lines and
Britain’s fastest commuter trains
Looking forward to 2024 and 2044
Making the best use of capacity
Improving connectivity
Introducing new technology
South East Route: Kent Area Route Study summary document, March 2017
ge g
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To d M
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Swale
Ca
Maidstone
Kent
Tunbri
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We
ll
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Bromley
Bromley
Gra
ves
ham
Dartford
Sev
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THE RAILWAY IN KENT
Bexley
Lewisham
Croydon
Medway
Greenwich
Thanet
Dover
Ashford
s
This presents significant challenges as the
trains and network become faster, busier
and fuller – these challenges and options
to address them are presented in the
South East Route: Kent Area Route Study
at www.networkrail.co.uk
Wandsw
ort
h
City of London
Surrey
Over the next 30 years more and more
people are expected to travel by train, and
more freight is forecast to come off the
road and onto the railway.
Westminster
Tandridge
The rail industry has delivered more trains,
longer trains, faster trains and improved
safety, at the same time as improved
efficiency and value over the last 20 years.
Kent Area Map
Greater London
k
Southwar
Lambeth
The railway in Kent plays a vital role in
the region’s economy, providing links
between communities and employment,
industry and markets, and conveying
essential freight flows supporting the
construction sector in London and the
South East.
Wealden
Shepway
East Sussex Rother
County Council
London Borough
Unitary Authority
Borough/District Council
The Route Study process involves
representatives from the various train
operating companies, Department for
Transport (DfT), Transport for London
(TfL), Rail Delivery Group (RDG), HS1, local
authorities (county, unitary, borough and
district), Port of Dover, Ebbsfleet Development
Corporation and rail user groups.
produce the updated anticipated passenger
growth figures. From the passenger growth
figures, the required number of additional rail
vehicles was calculated.
The local authorities provided the latest
information on new housing forecasts which
were fed into the Market Study model to
The main Route Study and Technical Appendix
documents show the process, constraints and
Choices for Funders in greater detail.
Challenges and constraints were identified so
that the Choices for Funders could be worked
out based on all of these factors.
Hastings
Eastbourne
Local Authority
Ashford
Bexley
Bromley
Canterbury
Dartford
Dover
Eastbourne
Ebbsfleet
Gravesham
Greenwich
Hastings
Kent Route Lines
Line included for reference
Other lines
New
Annual
households growth
by 2031
rate
14,000
30,733
10,065
16,200
18,551
10,000
5,022
14,000
7,100
40,095
3,400
1.29%
1.15%
0.39%
1.19%
1.92%
0.95%
0.66%
0.81%
1.77%
0.47%
Local Authority
New
households
by 2031
Lewes
Maidstone
Medway UA
Rother
Sevenoaks
Shepway
Swale
Thanet
Tonbridge and Malling
Tunbridge Wells
Wealden
6,900
18,560
22,100
5,700
3,600
8,600
11,300
12,000
13,300
6,000
9,440
East Coast Main Line
STRATFORD
INTERNATIONAL
North London Line
LONDON ST PANCRAS
INTERNATIONAL
LONDON
BLACKFRIARS
LONDON
CHARING
CROSS
Charing Cross Line
South West Main Line and
Windsor Lines
LONDON
VICTORIA
West London Line
Wandsworth
WATERLOO
EAST Metropolitan
Jn
LONDON
WATERLOO
Thameslink
Corridor
Loughborough
Factory
Junction
Jns
Shepherds Lane Jn
East London Line Road
to Clapham Junction
Clapham
Cannon
Street
Line CANNON
STREET
LONDON
BRIDGE
North
Kent
East
Jn
Borough
Market Jn
ELEPHANT &
CASTLE
Route B
DENMARK
HILL
South
London
Line
New
Cross
Gate
Lewisham
PECKHAM Line
RYE
Angerstein
Wharf
Freight Only
Branch
East London Line
Spa
Road
Jn
Greenwich Line
GREENWICH
Westcombe
Park
Maze
Deptford
Hill
New Cross
St Johns
London
Bridge
Lines
LEWISHAM
Courthill
Loop Jns
Dagenham Dock Jns
Crossrail
Woolwich
ABBEY WOOD
Woolwich
Dockyard
Charlton WOOLWICH Plumstead
ARSENAL
Kidbrooke
Erith
Slade Green
BEXLEYHEATH
Falconwood
Eltham
HS1
Belvedere
North Kent or Woowich Line
Blackheath
Parks
Bridge
Jn
Tilbury Line
HS1
KINGS
CROSS
Welling
Barnehurst
Bexleyheath Line
Crayford
Creek Jn
THAMESPORT
ISLE OF GRAIN
North Kent
Sheerness-on-sea
Freight Only Branch Queenborough
Crofton
Stone
HITHER
Nunhead
Swanscombe
Brixton
Park
Crossing
GREEN
Mottingham
Bexley
SIDCUP
Ridham Dock
Catford Loop
High Sreet
Swale
Northfleet
Freight Only Branch
Lee
Atlantic &
Catford
New Eltham
Albany Park
Crayford
Ladywell
Greenhithe
DARTFORD
HERNE
GRAVESEND
Stewarts Lane
Sidcup Line
West Dulwich
Sheerness Branch
HILL
EBBSFLEET
Catford
Bridge
Lower
Kemsley
Lines
HS1
INTERNATIONAL
Chestfield &
Birchington
Sydenham
Hoo Jn
Grove Park
Bellingham
MARGATE
-on-Sea
Portsmouth Lines
Higham
Teynham FAVERSHAM Swalecliffe
Rochester Gillingham Newington
Sydenham
Sundridge
Elmstead Woods
New
Hill
STROOD
Beckenham
Park
Beckenham
CHATHAM
SITTINGBOURNE
Whitstable Herne Bay Westgate-on-Sea
Rainham
Hill Bromley North
Sole
Chislehurst
Branch
Chatham Main Line
Kent Coast
Sydenham Spurs
Broadstairs
Ravensbourne
Street
Penge
St Mary
Bromley
Farningham
East
Meopham
Dumpton Park
Cray
North Bickley
Swanley
Road
Selling
Sturry
Kent
Cuxton
House
Fawkham Longfield
Shortlands BROMLEY
Halling
HS1
Jn
Eynsford
Minster
RAMSGATE
Chatham Main Line
SOUTH
Crystal Palace
BECKENHAM
Snodland
Petts Wood
Single Clock
JUNCTION
London
Shoreham
CANTERBURY WEST
House
New Hythe
Bridge
Hayes Branch or
Lines
Sandwich
CANTERBURY EAST
Borough
ORPINGTON
Aylesford MAIDSTONE
Mid Kent
West
Elmers End
East
Green
Bekesbourne
EAST
& Wrotham Malling Malling Barming
Otford
Chelsfield
Chartham
Bearsted
Deal
West Wickham
Eden Park
Adisham
Kemsing
Maidstone East Line
Maidstone East Line
Maidstone
Knockholt
Hollingbourne
Chilham
Aylesham
Bat & Ball
Barracks
HAYES
Walmer
Dunton
Snowdown
Harrietsham
Bat & Ball Line
Maidstone West
Green
Metro Area
East Farleigh
SEVENOAKS
Shepherds Well
Martin
Lenham
Wye
HS1
Mill
Wateringbury
Kearnsey
CHANNEL
Charing
Hildenborough
Yalding
TUNNEL
HS1
FOLKESTONE
Beltring
CENTRAL
TONBRIDGE
Staplehurst Headcorn Pluckley
Sandling
DOVER
North Downs Line
PRIORY
Paddock
Continental Folkestone
Tonbridge Main Line
Marden
ASHFORD Westenhanger
High Brooms
Jn
Wood
West
INTERNATIONAL
rid
n
Ea
st
Va
lle
y
ry
bu
Ca
nt
er
Lin
e
bu
e
ry
Lin
er
nt
Ca
W
es
ai
tL
M
in
ge
e
nb
To
Medway Valley Line
HS
Co 1 nn Wa
ec te
tio rlo
n o
m
ha ine
at n L
Ch ai
M
M
ed
e
wa
y
Lin
Annual
growth
rate
0.76%
1.29%
0.95%
0.77%
0.37%
0.84%
0.93%
0.92%
1.23%
0.60%
0.88%
Anticipated passenger growth
Services
2011-2023
2011-2043
London Bridge Metro
15%
47%
London Victoria Metro
15%
47%
London Blackfriars
11%
21%
London St Pancras High Speed
61%
105%
London Bridge & Victoria Main Line
15%
47%
London Orbital
178%
407%
Strood - Paddock Wood/Tonbridge
15%
47%
Sittingbourne - Sheerness
Folkestone Line
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Ham Street
Etchingham
k
in
gs
lin
st
Stonegate
Lin
Robertsbridge
Battle
e
East Coastway
BEXHILL
East Coastway
Rye
Winchelsea
Crowhurst
West St Leonards
Bo Peep
Jn
St Leonards
Warrior Square
Doleham
Three Oaks
Ore
HASTINGS
EASTBOURNE
The benefits of these potential investments will
flow far beyond the railway, leading to:
• Economic growth
• Reduced environmental impact
• Regeneration of communities.
The Route Study forms part of a suite of Studies
for the UK rail network, which represent a crucial
component of the railway’s Long Term Planning
Process.
Appledore
sh
Ha
ar
Frant
Wadhurst
M
Over
100 people
from various
organisations were
involved in the
Route Study
Sandwich Line
Crofton
Road Jn
The Route Study sets out a vision for the next
10 to 30 years of a much busier railway, with
investment enabling faster, longer, more
frequent and more reliable journeys. It presents
choices for funders to meet this future demand.
DUNGENESS/LYDD
Freight Only Branch
The choices set out in the Route Study have been
developed together with industry partners to
deliver a railway that offers value to taxpayers,
users and funders.
Choices for Funders
London & South East
Market Study
Challenges & constraints
Number of vehicles required
These are a mix of
network and train
capacity constraints,
conflicting movements at
junctions, signal positions,
number of tracks,
timetable rules etc.
to cater
forecast
Number
of vehiclesfor
required
to cater for growth
forecast growth
Baseline no.
These are Additional
shown
on Additional
the
maps
of vehicles
vehicles
vehicles
on the following pages
These have been prioritised using the
following criteria:
• accomodating passenger and
freight demand to 2024
• taking advantage of any potential
synergies with planned renewals
• aligning capacity with major
programmes
• affordability
• value for money
PLANNING FOR GROWTH
Kent Rail Network Map
Midland Main Line
North London Line
The Kent Route Study examines options to
improve the railway in the Kent Area, setting out
a long term strategy to meet growing passenger
and freight demand from 2019 onwards.
O
The ‘Metro’ area covers the suburban services into London Bridge, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Victoria and Blackfriars.
The East London Line London Overground services between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction are also included in this category.
Number of vehicles required to cater for forecast growth
Baseline no.
of vehicles
Westbound
R
To City Thameslink
LONDON
BLACKFRIARS
LONDON
LONDON
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
To
Clapham
Junction
ELEPHANT &
CASTLE
Shepherds Lane Jn to
Nunhead Jn
Brixton to Shortlands Jn
Catford Loop
DENMARK
HILL
West Dulwich
Woolwich
Dockyard
LEWISHAM
Nunhead
Crofton
Park
Single line section
Lack of spare capacity/conflicts
Freight traffic
Empty train movements/berthing/sidings
Level crossing issues
SIDCUP
Catford
Penge
East
Kent
House
Gillingham
GRAVESEND
DARTFORD
Bellingham
Sydenham
Hill
When Crossrail
opens in 2018, it is
expected that many
passengers between
Dartford and Woolwich
Dockyard will change
their route to work
Woolwich
ABBEY WOOD
BEXLEYHEATH
HITHER
GREEN
Ebbsfleet
Southern Link
Beckenham
Hill
Ravensbourne
BROMLEY NORTH
BECKENHAM Shortlands
JUNCTION
Victoria
Blackfriars
E
Infrastructure restriction/route access
WOOLWICH
ARSENAL
GREENWICH
PECKHAM
RYE
T
To Angerstein
Wharf
WATERLOO
EAST
HERNE
HILL
To Tulse Hill
Speed restriction
Crossrail
To Canada Water
LONDON
BRIDGE
Loughborough
Junction
Additional
vehicles
Crossover/Junction
Eastbound
CANNON
STREET
LONDON
CHARING
CROSS
Additional
vehicles
Types of constraints on the Kent network
STROOD
CHATHAM
SWANLEY
Bickley
BROMLEY
SOUTH*
ORPINGTON
OTFORD
MAIDSTONE
EAST
HAYES
SEVENOAKS
M
By 2024: lengthen peak hour (08:00-08:59) arrivals at:
London Bridge to 12-car
• Platform extensions or Selective Door Opening (SDO) may be required
at Woolwich Dockyard (pale blue on the map)
• Signal moves may be required at Erith Triangle, Crayford Triangle,
Grove Park Sidings, Gillingham and Waterloo East
London Victoria to 8-car
• Reconfigure existing or procure new high-density trains
London Blackfriars (via Elephant & Castle) to 8-car
• Most trains will be new high-density trains by 2018
Freight connection to Angerstein Wharf & freight gauge clearance
By 2044: further work will be required to develop the following schemes:
London Bridge Corridor
• Capacity improvements required at Cannon Street and Charing Cross
• Possible junction reconfiguration at pinch-points
London Victoria Corridor
• Capacity improvements required at and on approach to Victoria
• Possible junction reconfiguration and platform lenghtening for 12-car trains
London Blackfriars to 12-car (should it be required north of London)
• Platform extensions at all the stations shown in orange on the above map
• Possible Metroisation of the Metro area and extension of Crossrail to Gravesend
Possible passing track between Peckham Rye and Nunhead
Choices
for
funders
Location Name
Platform length/availability
Station capacity enhancement by 2023
Service pattern/journey time
Station capacity enhancement post-2023
Two-track section
Blue stations
Key constraint location
Orange stations
LONDON
BLACKFRIARS
LONDON
CHARING
CROSS
LONDON
LONDON
LONDON
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
VICTORIA
}
Possible platform extensions
or Selective Door Opening
CANNON
STREET
LONDON
BRIDGE
WATERLOO
EAST
ELEPHANT &
CASTLE
DENMARK
HILL
PECKHAM
RYE
HITHER
GREEN
Green lines - predominantly 12-car services
Blue lines - predominantly 8-car services
Red line - frequent 5-car services
Black line - 3-car services
Orange line - 2-car services
Purple line - proposed Ebbsfleet Southern Link
Yellow line - proposed Canterbury Curve
Dark green line - proposed North Kent - South Kent Link
The new
housing and
jobs created at
Ebbsfleet could be
supported by a new
rail link to Swanley,
Bromley South &
beyond
SHEERNESS-ON-SEA
Ebbsfleet
Southern Link
HERNE
HILL
Shepherds Lane Jn to
Nunhead Jn
Gillingham
FAVERSHAM
STROOD
CHATHAM
Brixton to Shortlands Jn
MARGATE
SITTINGBOURNE
SWANLEY
North Kent South Kent Link
Catford Loop
BECKENHAM
JUNCTION
A 12-car
train carries
around 1,000
passengers which is
roughly equivalent
to 13 doubledecker bus
Choices
for
funders
BROMLEY
SOUTH
ORPINGTON
By 2024:
• 12-car berthing siding at Cannon Street Curve to potentially
enable an additional train per hour
• Freight gauge clearance from Channel Tunnel to West London
Line via Maidstone East/Farningham Road and Catford Loop
By 2044:
• Further work required to develop solutions on the London
Bridge and Victoria corridors (see Metro area)
• Potential additional link lines (shown on the map)
MAIDSTONE
EAST
OTFORD
RAMSGATE
CANTERBURY WEST
CANTERBURY EAST
MAIDSTONE WEST
SEVENOAKS
TONBRIDGE
FOLKESTONE
CENTRAL
ASHFORD
INTERNATIONAL
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Canterbury
Curve
HASTINGS
The North
Kent - South
Kent Link was
looked at as a long
term connection
between Faversham
and Ashford
International
DOVER
PRIORY
The
Canterbury
Curve would only
be required should
the line be closed
between Dover and
Folkestone
MAIN LINE & BRANCHES
The ‘Kent Main Line & Branches’ area covers the Main Line services into London Bridge, Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Victoria & Blackfriars
as well as the Sheerness Branch (Sittingbourne - Sheerness-on-Sea) and Medway Valley Line (Strood - Maidstone West - Paddock Wood - Tonbridge) services.
HIGH SPEED & MARSHLINK
The High Speed services operate between London St Pancras International and Faversham/Ramsgate (via Medway, Canterbury West and Folkestone Central).
The Department for Transport also requested that High Speed services to Hastings and Bexhill be explored.
By 2024:
High Speed - all peak services to be formed of 12-car trains plus an
additional 12-car train to Ashford International - requires more rolling
stock, platform extension at Maidstone West, possible power supply
enhancements and timetable alterations on HS1.
STRATFORD
INTERNATIONAL
By 2044:
High Speed - connection to Hastings (may require additional
pathways on HS1)
High Speed One
GRAVESEND
EBBSFLEET
INTERNATIONAL
Potential additional link lines (shown on the map)
Marshlink High Speed:
The connection of Marshlink to High Speed 1 requires new sets of
points at Ashford International to enable trains to cross from Platform
2 to HS1 but that is just the beginning...
The Ebbsfleet
Southern Link utilises
the former Waterloo
Connection from HS1 to the
Chatham Main Line with a
new link line to Ebbsfleet
International
LONDON ST PANCRAS
INTERNATIONAL
Ebbsfleet
Southern Link
Swanley
FAVERSHAM
Via Ashford
Via Medway
From Maidstone West
SITTINGBOURNE
CHATHAM
North Kent South Kent Link
Fawkham
Jn
...but there are some Choices for Funders that could be carried out
with or without High Speed services:
• linespeed improvements between Eastbourne and Hastings 70 to
90 mph
• linespeed improvements between Ore and Doleham 40 to 60 mph
• linespeed improvements between Doleham and Ashford
International 60 to 90 mph
• junction improvements Appledore
• junction improvements and platform extensions at Rye.
RAMSGATE
CANTERBURY WEST
CANTERBURY EAST
High Speed One
...there are some questions that need answering:
• should the line be electrified and if so, to 25kV AC overhead or
750V DC third rail?
• which trains are going to use it?
• where are the trains going? Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne were
looked at
MARGATE
STROOD
Via Ashford
Via Medway
From Maidstone West
Via Ashford
Via Medway
From Maidstone West
Canterbury
Curve
MAIDSTONE WEST
High Speed One
High
Speed
services to
Marshlink could
reduce journey
times by up to
13 minutes
High Speed One
ASHFORD
INTERNATIONAL
Ham Street
Appledore
Rye
Winchelsea
Doleham
Three Oaks
Ore
Bo Peep
Jn
Route B
BEXHILL
St Leonards
Warrior Square
DUNGENESS
HASTINGS
CHANNEL
TUNNEL
FOLKESTONE
CENTRAL
DOVER
PRIORY
More
freight could
be carried from the
Channel Tunnel to the
Midlands if the gauge is
expanded to cater for 9ft
6in shipping containers
on regular wagons
EASTBOURNE
Some of the schemes, such as the linespeed improvements, may be
funded by local authorities, LEPs or other funders. It will need the
assistance of local land owners, level crossing users etc. to develop
a strategy of closures, mergers or other solutions for the many level
crossings between Ore and Ashford International.
The South Eastern Franchise competition is being consulted on at
the same time as the Route Study so now is a good time to share
your views on this scheme - further information on the scheme can
be found in the Route Study and Technical Appendix. Details of the
franchise process can be found on the back cover of this document.
Number of vehicles required to cater for forecast growth
Green lines - predominantly 12-car services
Blue lines - predominantly 8-car (6-car High Speed)
Orange line - 2-car services
Red line - potential Marshlink High Speed service from Ashford International
Purple line - proposed Ebbsfleet Southern Link
Yellow line - proposed Canterbury Curve Baseline no. Additional
Additional
of vehicles
vehicles
vehicles
Dark green line - proposed North Kent - South Kent Link
Types of constraints on the Kent network
Crossover/Junction
Speed restriction
Platform length/availability
Station capacity enhancement by 2023
Infrastructure restriction/route access
Single line section
Service pattern/journey time
Station capacity enhancement post-2023
Lack of spare capacity/conflicts
Freight traffic
Empty train movements/berthing/sidings
Level crossing issues
Location Name
Two-track section
Blue stations
Key constraint location
Orange stations
}
Possible platform extensions
or Selective Door Opening
Conditional
Output
CO1 & CO7
London Bridge
Metro
CO2 & CO8
Victoria Metro
8-car trains
High Speed
12-car services:
Medway
12-car services:
Maidstone
12-car services:
Ashford
International
CO3 & CO9
O4 & CO10
Blackfriars
London Bridge &
O5 & CO11
Victoria Main Line
O1, 2, 4, 5, 7,
8, 10 & 11
Third Party
Proposals
CO13
CO15
CO17
CO18
Various
Conditional
Outputs
CO18
North to South
Kent Connectivity
CO20
CO21
CO28
Freight
Improved
passenger
circulation at
stations
Resilience
Further development
work required






12-car services

12-car services












Ashford Ramsgate
additional services


Further
development
work
required






TfL's Bakerloo
Line Extension

TfL's Metroisation



Crossrail towards
Gravesend



Marshlink High
Speed
Ebbsfleet
Southern Link
North Kent to
South Kent
Angerstein Wharf
Connection
Nunhead Passing
Loop
Howbury Park
Freight Terminal
Gauge Clearance
Lewisham
Denmark Hill
Peckham Rye
Bromley South
Brixton
Beckenham
Junction
Dartford
Chatham
Tonbridge
Canterbury Chord


Option


Option

























CHOICES FOR FUNDERS
By 2024
2024 - 2044
Significant
Berthing
Significant
Berthing
Choice for Funders More Longer Platform
More Longer Platform
Station
Linespeed
Power Supply
Station
Linespeed
Power Supply
Infrastructure
Siding
Infrastructure
Siding
trains trains extensions improvements Improvements Enhancement
trains trains extensions improvements Improvements Enhancement
Enhancement Improvements
Enhancement Improvements
12-car services:




Dartford Lines
Further
12-car services:



development
Hayes Line
work
12-car services:
required
Orpington &



Sevenoaks
Conditional
Output no.
To respond to the Route Study
consultation please email:
[email protected]
Or by post to:
South East Route: Kent Area Route
Study Consultation
Senior Strategic Planner (South East)
Network Rail
Cottons Centre
Cottons Lane
London
SE1 2QG
Closing date: 30 June 2017
SOUTH EASTERN FRANCHISE
To provide clarity to respondents and
avoid duplication it is requested that any
comments regarding passenger capacity
on trains and lengthening of trains are
addressed through the DfT franchise
consultation and not the Route Study
consultation.
KENT ROUTE STUDY
It is also suggested that the Department
for Transport’s South Eastern Franchise
consultation document is also reviewed it can be found at www.dft.gov.uk.
2017
OTHER MILESTONES
CONSULTATION & NEXT STEPS
The full version of the Kent Route Study
document and the associated Technical
Appendix can be found on the Network
Rail website.
March
Issue of
franchise
expression
of interest
March - June
Consultation
period
September
Invitation
To Tender
(ITT) issued
to shortlisted
bidders
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
August
Contract
Award
December
End of current
franchise
agreement
Start of new
franchise
agreement
An extension of six reporting periods to Dec 18 assumed
A further one reporting period extension is available at Secretary of State’s discretion
March
Draft for
Consultation
published
March - June
Consultation
period
Autumn
Final version
published
Thameslink
London
Bridge station
completed
Crossrail
Open to the
public
Major
timetable
recast
New Network Rail funding period