Conservative ministers, and Conservative-controlled Kent County Council have spent £12 million improving the rail infrastructure between Ramsgate and London St Pancras. Working with Network Rail we will be cutting the journey time to a little over one hour over the next 3 years, with immediate improvements.
We're really proud of this achievement. It shows what a Conservative government can do if you vote for us on May 7th.
But what does it actually mean for Thanet? Here are five ways it will make a huge improvement.
#1 People will want to move here
When I talk to people about the time they are prepared to spend commuting, it seems that many of us see a journey time of much over an hour as unacceptable, whereas under an hour is something we are prepared to tolerate. We have great schools here and a grammer schools system which I value.
With house prices being the way they are in London, commuting from here is now a genuine prospect for more people and I have met many who already do. Thanet has a great deal to offer with its beautiful sights, vibrant restaurants and nightlife. More people moving in means a greater demand for property, which will rejuvenate the area and help preserve its desirable heritage. I am encouraged by the amount of scaffolding now going up.
#2 It makes London more accessible to the people that already live here
London isn't just about jobs. It's about shows, museums and the unique offer that London has as the no.1 global city. A shorter journey time means taking the family for a day out is now that little bit easier.
#3 It makes the south east coast more attractive as a weekend holiday destination
Tourism is big business. Tourists spend and use few local services, a win win for the local economy. A healthy number of visitors helps keep a place looking its best, and keeps local businesses booming.
Being around one hour from London means Thanet is more accessible to tourists. Whether it's Londoners looking to get away to the seaside for the weekend, or international visitors exploring beyond the capital, more tourism is great news for all of us.
#4 It brings wealth to the area
A local economy relies on money being spent. If a family earning a respectable salary in London move to Ramsgate to take advantage of the improved rail service, it helps in a number of ways. The family do their shopping at the local shop, they eat in the local restaurant, and use local tradesmen. .More customers at the shop might mean the owner needs more staff, which creates employment. A larger audience at the cinema means it can afford to make improvements to the facilities - making it a more desirable attraction . And so it continues...
Becoming more prosperous prevents an area becoming dilapidated, and makes it a more attractive place to live.
#5 It attracts businesses
A key reason why businesses choose a particular location to start up, is access to talented workforce, and access to clients. Having a high speed rail service to London opens up a world of opportunities for them. New businesses means jobs. It means investment in Thanet and it's good news for all of us.
Are you happy with the service upgrade? Will it make a difference to you? Tell me what you think here.