From
Kent OnlineNo direct link planned between new railway station at Hoo and Medway Towns leaving only option to change at Gravesend
It is feared a multi-million pound railway station would become a "white elephant" under current route plans which would require commuters to change miles from their likely destination.
Consultation is currently underway into how Medway Council will spend £170 million from the government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) to develop 12,000 new homes on the Hoo Peninsula.
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The Gillingham North councillor said: "With the pandemic, fewer people will being commutingto London so there's a huge question mark over whether it will be financially viable.
"We are in favour of the HIF and the railway scheme but they are no longer guaranteeing a rail link with the Medway Towns directly, in the consultation document.
"If there is no direct rail link between Hoo and the Medway Towns, the likelihood is people are just going to keep on using their cars.
I can't help fearing that the developer will build in 2 years and be sold out by 3. The railway station and rise in standards to let the line take passenger trains will take 5 years, by which time everyone will have bought their second car.
