Folkestone Harbour Station to Close

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Network Rail propose to close the station & branch line
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/nov/Consultation-on-proposals-to-close-the-Folkestone-Harbour-branch-line/

However, the line's Preservation Society think otherwise

From Railnews
http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2013/11/20-end-of-the-line-for.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

And local press
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone_express/news/is-this-the-end-of-9128

There's too much to quote here. Mods feel free to amend if you think it necessary.

[grahame]

Thanks for posting this, Chris ... very important topic in case precedents may get set.

There are differing views in the rail / campaign / enthusiast camp as to whether or not a line or service or station should even be closed.  My view is that in some cases it can make sense - Abercynon North and South closed to make way for a single combined station, for example.   However, I worry (perhaps because I don't know the area!) about places like Norton Bridge which seem like they may be closure by stealth, with a consultation such as the this one then simply confirming a status quo.

[grahame]

A link forwarded by Passenger Focus to their mailing list, seeking consultation inputs and providing the official data to accompany it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/folkestone-harbour-closure-of-branch-line-and-station?

[grahame]

From Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rtreversingbeeching/permalink/668186579994177/

Just to let you know that we've hit 3000 signatures on our petition to save Fokestone Harbour Station and by implication the Harbour Railway!

...and the total is still growing. Folkestone Harbour Company have publicly stated that the station is beyond repair. That is a ludicrous statement- currently the heritage railway movement is building steam locomotives from scratch and long demolished station buildings have been totally rebuilt to the original specification. Folkestone Harbour Station could easily be restored-and the Remembrance Line Association are poised to take on the task. Folkestone Harbour Company also reaffirms that the Harbour Railway is closed. So what- railways all over country which have been closed for 50years or more are being revived from what has been returned to green fields.

In Folkestone's case, a railway with the essential features of its infrastructure still in position is under threat because the plans of the seafront developer deem it necessary to sweep it away. However this appears to be a threat without substance as clearly the developer has totally failed to attract UK^▸ (United Kingdom) investors and is now hawking its aspirations on the international market. Obviously the UK investors have dismissed the seafront development as not viable and Folkestone Harbour Company appears to believe that the international investors are less wily. I think not. I might add that government schemes like the one the harbour company is using is notoriously lumbering and could add years to the commencement of seafront building if any.

Furthermore when Folkestone Harbour Company present their Harbour Revision Order to the Maritime Management Organisation they will say 'look this harbour is useless- it has no rail link- I wonder how that happened?' If you haven't signed and shared-please take the opportunity!

The petition text

HALT THE DESTRUCTION OF FOLKESTONE HARBOUR RAILWAY STATION.
TO: FOLKESTONE HARBOUR COMPANY AND NETWORK RAIL

Retain and restore, this unique, iconic, heritage structure, of national importance.

Why is this important?

In 1843, the first sea/rail service in the world, was implemented between Folkestone and Boulogne.  This is what makes it an iconic location.

The existing station represents over 100 years of this type of operation.  The Harbour Railway and Station was singularly instrumental in making Folkestone a vibrant successful town.  It's cross channel ferry service rivalled that of Dover in intrinsic value, if not in volume.

During The Great War, Folkestone Harbour Station was the departure/arrival  point for eight million troop movements and five million tons of supplies, munitions and regular mail, to and from the Western Front.  Ships and trains were also used to whisk men from the front, back to blighty, in just a few hours, the wounded brought to hospitals in Folkestone and other points.  This makes it the most important World War One heritage site in Britain, particularly in this year, marking the centenary of the start of hostilities.

The Golden Arrow, one of the best known trains in our time, was regularly seen here.

Mata Hari was arrested here.

In 1855 The first Great Train Robbery occurred  here. Just one of many colourful historical events that took place  here.

Folkestone Harbour Company tells us  they have "saved the harbour station". This is not accurate.  In fact, they have only saved the harbour arm canopy, which is not in the recognised station area. In reality, the track has been torn up in the "saved" area.

Back in the summer of 2014, the Folkestone Harbour Branch Railway was closed by Network Rail and the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about). This was very short sighted, as this railway and its harbour station are still potentially  valuable assets to the town, boosting local district and county commerce, tourism and employment. There is also scope for expediting the traditional role as a feeder for a possible cross channel passenger ferry operation connecting with Boulogne. Dover is not currently encouraging this type of service and it is believed that Folkestone could corner this market.

There are currently plans to demolish Folkestone Harbour Station to make way for a luxury seafront housing scheme. Common sense tells us all, that the station and the railway it serves would easily co-exist with, enhance and complement the proposed development.
 

This is the last chance we have of saving this iconic edifice, let it be a lasting monument to our local heritage and a tribute to our past endeavours. Please sign this petition.

[grahame]

further background

- Summary of DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) responses to consultation
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307590/summary-responses-comments.pdf
undated, but map is April 2014. Found via search engine - does anyone have a parent link?

- Remembrance Line Association
http://www.theremembranceline.org.uk/index.htm
And their next meeting is next week - Thursday 26th February




Edit note: Some of grahame's trademark typos corrected. CfN. 

[ChrisB]

You mean 26th?

[grahame]

You mean 26th?

Yes, I do

[paul7575]

I thought the railway and station had already closed according to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

Locking the stable door?

Paul

[grahame]

I thought the railway and station had already closed according to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

Locking the stable door?

Paul

The DfT outcome report is

As a result of responses to this consultation we modified the proposal so that the area affected is limited to the Network Rail lease area. We referred the proposal to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)) for ratification in May 2014, as required under legislation.

The ORR has now completed the ratification process and is content for the closure of the railway branch line of Folkestone Harbour and associated station to go ahead. The ratification notice (PDF, 120 KB), dated 31 July 2014, is available to view on the ORR website.

The closure will not take effect until 4 weeks after the date of ratification. There are no passenger services affected by this closure.

Ratification notice at http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/14345/closure-ratification-notice-folkestone-harbour-branchline-and-station.pdf

It may well be too late - but not necessarily because of the closure;  "every" line that's opened as a heritage railway has had to be closed first (I say "every" in quotes, because I can now think of one line that was transferred).   The real battles at Folkestone would seem to be the ones with the developers, the local council and the practicalities of making an economic case on what's not going to be a cheap infrastructure.   At best a long shot - but then I remember being told that we were too late and didn't have any real chance in Wiltshire.

[Lee]

Network Rail Press Release on track clearance and removal - https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/disused-kent-railway-line-set-for-new-lease-of-life

Interesting spin that they "have deliberately opted to leave some of the old track in place to allow this to be a feature of any future scheme" but "Railway equipment at the rail-road and the footpath crossings at Folly Road will also be removed and the crossings converted to a public highway and public footpath" making reuse as a railway very difficult...

[grahame]

From the beginning of February to April 2019, most of the old track, sleepers and lineside equipment will be removed and overgrown vegetation and litter cleared along the the route.  Railway equipment at the rail-road and the footpath crossings at Folly Road will also be removed and the crossings converted to a public highway and public footpath. 

Discussions with local stakeholders on potential new community uses are now underway with a decision to be made in the summer of 2019. Enquiries about about the old line and potential future uses can be directed to CRSouthEast@networkrail.co.uk

.

I know that there were several aspirations to run a rail based heritage service; I have no idea of the practicality or currency of them.  It does strike me that removing equipment and converting in the spring, then announcing a decision in the summer, seems the wrong way round and renders certain aspirations as impractical. Perhaps that is the intent?

[old original]

It seems a lot of work has already been done to turn it into a pedestrian area and walk-through to the "Folkestone Harbour Arm"

https://www.folkestoneseafront.com/folkestone/the-station/

http://folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk

[Lee]

Kent Live article - https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/network-rail-clear-disused-folkestone-2458911

[Umberleigh]

I well remember catching a boat train from London to Folkestone Harbour Station one sunny August Saturday in 1983, and then onwards by ferry to Calais and the awaiting Motorail train to the South of France.

But we have to be realistic and concentrate heritage preservation efforts on projects which will prove sustainable in the future. Not every closed branch, siding, spur and diesel depot can be saved. We now have a tunnel and the Motorail train is no more. This revamped harbour scheme is proving a real boon to the town and I don’t see how an industrial diesel shutter and brake van trundling between the old station and a point near the mainline for a princely sum is going do much for the area or the soul

[Chris125]

I know that there were several aspirations to run a rail based heritage service; I have no idea of the practicality or currency of them.  It does strike me that removing equipment and converting in the spring, then announcing a decision in the summer, seems the wrong way round and renders certain aspirations as impractical. Perhaps that is the intent?

Realistically any possibility of it reopening as a railway died years ago, and never seemed particularly workable anyway. What's now been done with the viaduct and station is wonderful, as can be seen below:


The harbour bridge by Saturdaywalker, on Flickr


Looking landward along the platforms by Saturdaywalker, on Flickr