Kent’s property market is showing signs of improvement, helped by the arrival of high speed domestic trains.

Speaking at the launch of the 2009 Kent Property Report, Alison Owen, a partner with Maidstone-based agents Cluttons said Kent was in a much stronger position than in the last recession.

There was evidence that the county was doing better than elsewhere.

She told 200 guests in Ashford International Hotel: “There is every reason to be confident in the long-term future of the Kent property market. It is actually far better placed to come out of this recession than it was last time round.”

The county had more infrastructure than it did then, it was well into the process of regeneration, and had a stock of modern property that was not in existence previously. “We still have work to do but I would suggest it is not all doom and gloom,”

Vince Lucas, commercial director of Southeastern, said the high speed preview services had attracted numbers way beyond the operator’s expectations. It was already having an impact on property prices and this would accelerate after the launch of the full timetable in December. He said there was already evidence that property values in the Ashford area had risen by more than £12,000.

It was not only commuters who benefited but the whole community who enjoyed rising prosperity.

The report was produced by Cluttons, backed by Kent County Council and Locate in Kent, the inward investment agency.

KCC leader Paul Carter said the report show Kent’s resilience and the county was “coming out of this recession fighting. Kent has fared well in comparison to the rest of the UK.”