MORE 1,000 people living near the Channel Tunnel Rail Link have put in claims for compensation on the first anniversary of the opening of the high-speed route.

A massive 1,200 claims have been logged against the Government because of the enormous noise and vibration pollution they claim to have suffered since it opened on September 28 last year.

The CTRL divides the county between Ebbsfleet to the northwest of the county and the Channel Tunnel terminal at Cheriton, via the Medway Valley, North Downs, Boxley, Lenham Heath and Ashford.

Compensation surveyors Coles & Co, based in Maidstone, is dealing with the first batch of claims.

Residents and homeowners are claiming they suffer enormous environmental disturbance every time the high-speed trains travel through the countryside in two directions every 15 minutes or so between 6am and 11.30pm.

A spokesman for Coles & Co said: “This is the first true indication of the feelings of the people living in this part of Kent. Many any living in rural or residential say the environment has been destroyed by the thunderous noise created by these monster machines.

“Many describe it as frightening as low flying aircraft. The fact that the trains can be heard does not, however, in itself give rise to compensation.

"But the nuisance has to be severe enough to cause loss in value as perceived through the eyes of an intending purchaser coming fresh to the scene.”