From the Kent Live Site:
First plans show park and ride linking visitors to Folkestone Harbour via a tram
Network Rail have admitted its intention to retain the railway track for future projects
First plans for a park and ride tram to take visitors to and from Folkestone harbour have been exclusively unveiled.
The proposals, which have only so far got backing from Folkestone Town Council, have been put forward by the Remembrance Line Association.
The organisation, headed by Richard Moffatt, has been striving to get the railway track that runs parallel to Tram Road and East Cliff back into use for almost 11 years.
The line closed to regular passenger train services in 2001, although the occasional Orient Experience and railtours continued until 2009.
Network Rail announced in January its plans to clear debris from the line, but indicated a potential interest when it confirmed some of the track will remain.
Mr Moffatt now hopes his plans to bring it back into use will get the thumbs up from officials.
He said if the project is given the go ahead, he aims to incorporate elements of the New York high line in the designs.
Parking 'for 500 cars'
The old Railway line along Tram road up to Follys Road is going to be tided up
Parking issues along the seafront were reignited last summer , when hot days coupled with the bustling Harbour Arm and Creative Quarter saw drivers queuing for spaces.
People have become concerned about the future of the seafront, given the 1,000 homes in apartment blocks which are due to be built over two decades.
Parking has been allocated to an extent for each block, but there are still fears visitor parking has been overlooked.
Mr Moffatt hopes the park and ride tram will see residents and visitors park up outside of the area and use the tram, which will stop at the recently renovated viaduct
He told Kent Live: "We believe that the local authorities should consider creating a park and ride facility on the old East Station goods sidings site which could cater for a capacity of up to 500 cars.
"This would feature an interface with the tramway which would convey passengers to the harbour area.
"When the seafront development finally reaches the vicinity of the harbour station the East Station site will be the only feasible parking option left.
"There is no other vacant land with such a convenient aspect and should at least be reserved for such important future use."
'We have deliberately opted to leave some of the track'
The overgrown vegetation is being removed and litter along the route is being cleared.
The work is expected to take until April.
Railway equipment at the rail-road and the footpath crossings at Folly Road will also be removed.
The crossings are set to be converted to a public highway and public footpath.
The Network Rail spokesman said discussions with local stakeholders are "now underway" and a decision is due to made in the summer.
Mark Ellerby, project sponsor for the Network Rail South East route, said: “While the station section of the line is now a vibrant hub with shops, cafés, homes and cycle paths, the northern section has become overgrown and blighted by flytipping.
“The work we are doing now to clear the line is a key step towards making the old line a community asset for the enjoyment of local people and visitors.
"It will ultimately be up to future owners to determine the exact use, but we have deliberately opted to leave some of the old track in place to allow this to be a feature of any future scheme."
'We are seeking appropriate partners'
Mr Moffatt added: "Over the last 18 months we have been impressed by Sir Roger De Haan's brilliant restoration of the Harbour Arm, harbour main station, harbour viaduct and swingbridge - inspiration enough to draft our latest vision document and business plan which will be published in a few weeks time.
"Network Rail's recent announcement that it will not only be clearing vegetation from the overgrown harbour line, but retaining one of the railway tracks for possible future private use, is very encouraging and we are now seeking appropriate partners to secure the freehold."
"However, the Remembrance Line Association has a way to go yet to accomplish its objectives, we hope that you will join or support us on this challenging journey."
Link:
https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/first-plans-show-park-ride-2577020?fbclid=IwAR0gCI_EuwxShBvBqPcXvNt9jhVB0mrqdzZeQD3ek-663HLgxjE8KLkZnxI
