Discovery park needs HS1
Deliverable NOW via Sandwich and the "Loop"
The development of Discovery Park as a life science research centre depends on good communications to link the former Pfizers site with the scientific communities in London, Cambridge and other university centres in UK and internationally.
The present peak-time HS trains demonstrate that a regular fast service is deliverable NOW via Sandwich station, which is about 1.7 miles from the Pfizers site. Immediate availability is critical to attract new research businesses to the site and to capitalise on the Pfizer legacy.
The present peak-time HS trains demonstrate that a regular fast service is deliverable NOW via Sandwich station, which is about 1.7 miles from the Pfizers site. Immediate availability is critical to attract new research businesses to the site and to capitalise on the Pfizer legacy.
Click on map to enlarge
From January 2015, Southeastern's new HS "Loop" service will give Sandwich an HOURLY HS service EVERY DAY, including WEEKENDS, Javelin trains will now run from Thanet and North Kent as well as from Dover and Ashford, making travel-to-work by train a more attractive proposition for Discovery Park employees from across much of Kent.
The service will also improve Sandwich residents’ access to other local towns around the Loopfor further education, health care and shopping facilities.
The service will also improve Sandwich residents’ access to other local towns around the Loopfor further education, health care and shopping facilities.
A SUSTAINABLE link for THE SCIENCE PARK
(Extracts from Discovery Park's public exhibition of emerging development plans)
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"Public Transport
Sandwich Railway Station and its high speed services provide a sustainable link to the rest of Kent and London." "We are exploring ways to enhance the existing Ramsgate to Dover bus route which currently serves the site." "Walking and Cycling The site is located adjacent to an existing regional cycle route providing the opportunity to improve connectivity with Sandwich town centre and further afield." "We are looking to enhance existing pedestrian infrastructure both on and off the site to encourage people to walk and cycle between Discovery Park and the town centre." |
SANDWICH STATION IS really CLOSE
to Discovery Park...
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The existing station at Sandwich is an easy cycle ride to Discovery Park...
there is no good alternative...
.. Ramsgate Station is the nearest alternative with an hourly HS service;
OR there's the proposed "Thanet Parkway" station, a £10.2 million project for an unstaffed halt with a large carpark out in the marshes near the new East Kent Access Road ("EKA" on map)
OR there's the proposed "Thanet Parkway" station, a £10.2 million project for an unstaffed halt with a large carpark out in the marshes near the new East Kent Access Road ("EKA" on map)
...unlike the proposed "Thanet Parkway Station". which would be out in the marshes between Minster and Ramsgate - closer than Ramsgate station, but still a lot further than Sandwich. Is this good value for £10.2 million??
Travel between alternative stations and Discovery Park
by car by bike walking DISTANCE
Sandwich Station * 6min 7min 21m 1.7 miles
Ramsgate Station * 15min 38min 1h 57m 6.3 miles
Thanet Parkway + 10min 24min 1h 23m 4.3 miles
Journey times and distances from Google Maps
Key: * Existing stations that are already built
+ Fantasy station. KCC says it would cost £10 million. Southeastern says there's no business case.
Trans4Deal says it's a wild goose chase, threatens existing stations at Deal and Sandwich & a waste of money.
Sandwich Station * 6min 7min 21m 1.7 miles
Ramsgate Station * 15min 38min 1h 57m 6.3 miles
Thanet Parkway + 10min 24min 1h 23m 4.3 miles
Journey times and distances from Google Maps
Key: * Existing stations that are already built
+ Fantasy station. KCC says it would cost £10 million. Southeastern says there's no business case.
Trans4Deal says it's a wild goose chase, threatens existing stations at Deal and Sandwich & a waste of money.
Because of the short distance, improving the existing cycle and walking route would be effective.
Discovery Park proposes to invest in a linking shuttle-bus service between the Science Park, the town centre and the station where improved car parking and drop-off facilities would also help . Strengthening travel links between Discovery Park and Sandwich station will also benefit local service businesses.
Of the alternative rail connections on the Canterbury-Ramsgate line, Ramsgate station is 6.3 miles away, and the proposed Thanet Parkway station would be about 4.3 miles distant and even if approved is not likely to be constructed during the 4-year life of the franchise extension. Whether or not the Thanet Parkway project goes ahead, the best way to support the IMMEDIATE prospects for Discovery Park is to improve high speed services to Sandwich.
Discovery Park proposes to invest in a linking shuttle-bus service between the Science Park, the town centre and the station where improved car parking and drop-off facilities would also help . Strengthening travel links between Discovery Park and Sandwich station will also benefit local service businesses.
Of the alternative rail connections on the Canterbury-Ramsgate line, Ramsgate station is 6.3 miles away, and the proposed Thanet Parkway station would be about 4.3 miles distant and even if approved is not likely to be constructed during the 4-year life of the franchise extension. Whether or not the Thanet Parkway project goes ahead, the best way to support the IMMEDIATE prospects for Discovery Park is to improve high speed services to Sandwich.
They Can't Afford to speed up the line to Thanet Parkway, even if they do build the station
Below is a link to the minutes and report of the July 2013 Meeting of the South East Local Transport Board, the sub committee of the SELEP (South East Local Enterprise Partnership) that decided to spend £10.2 million building the new station in the middle of the marsh. We have marked up page 10 of the report above. You can see that the Parkway station jumps four amber lights according to the marking system and the associated work to speed up the line hits three red ones.