sfbct15

Reading on another Forum that Network Rail are considering the permanent closure of the line between Folkestone and Dover? Not entirely surprised, the cost of maintaining the line may just become too much? My sense throughout this has been that the protection of the A20 is more important than the railway and the cliff need to be stabilised to secure this route? If the A20 were to fall into the sea the Port of Dover would grind to a halt....So the current work protects the A20 but that may not mean the rail line re-opens? Is the line as vulnerable further to the west? Are journey time to Dover compatible via Canterbury/Ashford?

So, do we know the timing for the repairs? it sounds like a long job to me, 100 piles to drive and fill, then to put the raft on top, I can easily see this taking 6 to 9 months? That's a guess, does anyone have a better idea? This would also seem to rule out single track working?

Was at the 'Meet the Manager' session at Ashford International this evening. The word there was that network rail are telling SE Trains 'Late Summer at the earliest before re-opening' and a lot of cold water was poured on that date. At least they promised car parking at Folkestone West will be free until the line re-opens.