White Cliffs Community Rail Partnership launched at Sandwich after marking 60th anniversary of electric trains
18:20, 13 July 2021
updated: 19:21, 02 November 2022
The 60th anniversary of the full electrification of trains in east Kent was used to launch a community rail group.
Electrical services on the South Eastern Main Line, via Ashford, Folkestone and Dover, were completed in summer 1961.
To mark that, local dignitaries from the Dover, and Folkestone and Hythe districts took a journey on the Kent Coast Line from Westenhanger to Sandwich.
The journey’s end celebrated the official launch of the White Cliffs Community Rail Partnership.
It encourages communities to be more involved in initiatives to get the most from their local railways, stations and services.
The Deal-based History Project gave a presentation looking at the start of electric rail travel.
Guests included the mayors, and town sergeants for Hythe, Folkestone, Dover, Deal and Sandwich and the chairmen of both Dover District Council and Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
Also there were management from WCCRP and the current train operators Southeastern Railways, a major funder of the new group.
Sandwich station has recently had its platforms extended to take the large influx of spectators for The 149th Open golf championship at Royal St George's, which continues until Sunday.
Brin Hill, WCCRP head of community and digital services, said: “The White Cliffs Community Rail Partnership brings together a variety of local partners to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to communities served by rural and secondary rail services.
"We have recently held a virtual community launch event to discuss ideas for how we can improve our local stations and make them more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”
Matthew Fraser, community relations manager of Southeastern, said “Going by train is one of the safest and most environmentally friendly ways to travel and we look forward to welcoming our customers back to travelling by train this summer.”
After coronavirus fully gripped the UK in spring 2020 many people avoided public transport to avoid being physically close to others and relied more on cars.
Electric trains replaced steam trains. which had been fuelled by coal.
Their first use in Kent was on the Gillingham to Ramsgate and Dover line in 1959.
Electric services on the full length of the South Eastern Main Line began on June 12, 1961.
