 Introduced in December 2009  Operated by Southeastern  At speeds of up to 140mph by Hitachi “Javelin” bi- mode electric trains

 Four years after the service started Passenger numbers are 10m per annum Overall Customer satisfaction is 95% compared to a UK average of 83% Punctuality over the last year averaged 92.6% ppm compared to a UK average of 90.1% So the service attributes perform above UK average

Southeastern passenger journeys have grown from 140m pa to almost 180m pa despite the recession

Rapid passenger growth in 2010 of 7m has been followed by a period of steady growth to 10m by 2013

Mainline passenger numbers were falling due to the recession: Highspeed reversed this and has pushed total Kent rail passengers to their highest ever levels of 60m pa

Kent’s economy is driven by its proximity to London and as a gateway to Europe

GVA per capita has grown over the past 15 years – but there is still a persistent gap between local and national output GVA per capita (£), 2011

Managing industrial change is a long term project… but the legacy of brownfield land is opening up the South East’s biggest new development opportunities Chatham Maritime… in 1986 and 2013

Historically, counties to the west of London have been better connected – reflected in stronger economic outcomes GVA per capita (£), 2011

11 East Kent Coast 33,000 homes by 2026 Thames Gateway 50,000 homes by 2026 DRAFT v.2.5 Ashford 22,700 homes by 2026 The strategy: Linking places with growth potential

17 million square feet of floorspace 1,035 acres of land – equivalent to three Hyde Parks 40% open space and parkland. Up to 10,000 homes. Up to 20,000 jobs. Only Springhead Park has been developed to date 4 to 6 trains per hour 17 minutes to St Pancras compared to 42 minutes previously

Whilst the expected housing, office and retail developmen t has not progressed the station is a fundamental reason behind the proposed paramaount theme park proposal 827 acres – 27,000 jobs – boost to local education and training A Paramount Theme Park development of £2bn is proposed close to the station site

Ashford has a vision to create a vibrant, sustainable town for residents and businesses, with an ambitious £2.5 billion development strategy which will see the town benefit from 28,000 new jobs And 31,000 new homes. Capitalising on High Speed Rail

The station building was rebuilt for £2.5m, the next phase was to create the station plazza for a further £2.5m. The scheme did not progress following a change in Leadership at the District Council combined with the abolition of SEEDA and the HCA.

But Passenger numbers have continued to grow, housing and population growth has continued and out of town business parks continue to fill, but the rents have remained static at around £200/m2

Early studies forecast gains for locations on the HS1 route… Colin Buchanan/ Volterra, 2009

 Too early to say… High levels of use… Important in changing perceptions of Kent as an investment location… But no visible correlation yet with resident earnings at district level  Part of a long term strategy, not a short term growth measure