Thanet Parkway updates

[Meerkat]

Those platforms look unsafe.
Lazy muppets will stop near the entrances in inconsiderate ways that force those spreading down the platform to walk wrong side of the yellow line.
if a decent number get off a train it will make despatch tricky??

 

[Cletus]

Advert-ridden article

Security stepped up at Thanet Parkway following nuisance driving complaints

Security has been stepped up and police response teams will be focusing attention at Thanet Parkway station after issues with antisocial driving around the car park. Complaints about nuisance drivi…

theisleofthanetnews.com

Security has been stepped up and police response teams will be focusing attention at Thanet Parkway station after issues with antisocial driving around the car park.

Complaints about nuisance driving have been made since the Parkway station opened last week.

Article continues...

 

[sbf kent]

Does any one know why, from what I can see, the electrostars (non HS-Javelin) are not stopping at Thanet Parkway? I have tried to travel today from Tunbridge Wells to Thanet Parkway, but it is just not a practical journey as they train I was on went straight through, meaning a taxi from the station to Discovery Park (my destination). The guard on the train did not know why, is it a case of the waiting for the enxt timetable change?

 

[PGAT]

Does any one know why, from what I can see, the electrostars (non HS-Javelin) are not stopping at Thanet Parkway? I have tried to travel today from Tunbridge Wells to Thanet Parkway, but it is just not a practical journey as they train I was on went straight through, meaning a taxi from the station to Discovery Park (my destination). The guard on the train did not know why, is it a case of the waiting for the enxt timetable change?

I think it’s because the linespeed improvements haven’t happened yet but I might be be wrong

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Something needs to be done around the old Grove Ferry & Upstreet location. I don't know if the ferry still runs but trains certainly seem to slow to funeral pace around there

 

[sbf kent]

This is the response from South Eastern

Thank you for contacting us today about our new station Thanet Parkway. I'm sorry to hear you are unhappy not all services stop at this station.

Thanet Parkway was envisioned to be part of the high speed route, offering direct journeys into St Pancras. Whilst there is a route that goes from Ramsgate to St Pancras via Dover Priory, it isn’t the most direct and so the focus of the first timetable for the station was via Canterbury West. This meant that when we wrote the timetable for the Canterbury West routes, we kept the stopping time in hand so trains could call at Thanet Parkway now it’s opened without interfering with timings elsewhere along the line. This wasn’t the case with the Dover Priory route, though, and so it’s not possible to add the extra stop as the extra time would cause problems at Ramsgate, particularly with the time needed for trains to turn around there.

But as this is a new station, we’re still learning how passengers will look to use it. We’ve set the current service based on our expectations, but if we start to see demand for different journeys through Thanet Parkway, we may be able to make adjustments in future timetables.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us. I hope the information I have provided is useful. However, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get back in touch.

 

[zwk500]

I think it’s because the linespeed improvements haven’t happened yet but I might be be wrong

I don't believe there are plans for the Dover service to stop - the LSI's were for the Canterbury West line.

This is the response from South Eastern

Thank you for contacting us today about our new station Thanet Parkway. I'm sorry to hear you are unhappy not all services stop at this station.

Thanet Parkway was envisioned to be part of the high speed route, offering direct journeys into St Pancras. Whilst there is a route that goes from Ramsgate to St Pancras via Dover Priory, it isn’t the most direct and so the focus of the first timetable for the station was via Canterbury West. This meant that when we wrote the timetable for the Canterbury West routes, we kept the stopping time in hand so trains could call at Thanet Parkway now it’s opened without interfering with timings elsewhere along the line. This wasn’t the case with the Dover Priory route, though, and so it’s not possible to add the extra stop as the extra time would cause problems at Ramsgate, particularly with the time needed for trains to turn around there.

But as this is a new station, we’re still learning how passengers will look to use it. We’ve set the current service based on our expectations, but if we start to see demand for different journeys through Thanet Parkway, we may be able to make adjustments in future timetables.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us. I hope the information I have provided is useful. However, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get back in touch.

A fairly comprehensive response there. May not be the one you wanted but at least they've been open with you.

 

[adamedwards]

Is there anything that could be done between Dover and Thanet Parkway which would gain enough time to enable a stop? I'm aware the trains are very slow over the junctions onto the Deal line, but I assume not possible to fix without some heroic engineering works?

 

[zwk500]

Is there anything that could be done between Dover and Thanet Parkway which would gain enough time to enable a stop? I'm aware the trains are very slow over the junctions onto the Deal line, but I assume not possible to fix without some heroic engineering works?

Re-align Minster triangle junction for c.60mph and then rebuild the section to Sandwich to get rid of the low linespeeds. Technically possible but requires unholy amounts of cash to purchase the land etc.

 

[PGAT]

What's most likely if demand justifies it (which probably won't happen because Canterbury East, a station with over 1M annual passengers only gets 1tph) is to make passengers suck it up and deal with the 2 min time penalty anyway and force the issues at Ramsgate to just cope

 

[zwk500]

What's most likely if demand justifies it (which probably won't happen because Canterbury East, a station with over 1M annual passengers only gets 1tph) is to make passengers suck it up and deal with the 2 min time penalty anyway and force the issues at Ramsgate to just cope

If it was that simple they'd have probably done it.

 

[PGAT]

If it was that simple they'd have probably done it.

What it sounded like from Southeastern's response is that turnaround time at Ramsgate is the issue. Not stopping at Thanet is a good way of maintaining resilience, but it could be ignored for the short term. They've suggested it is possible to accommodate the stop but it probably wasn't worth their time to alter the timetable

 

[zwk500]

What it sounded like from Southeastern's response is that turnaround time at Ramsgate is the issue. Not stopping at Thanet is a good way of maintaining resilience, but it could be ignored for the short term. They've suggested it is possible to accommodate the stop but it probably wasn't worth their time to alter the timetable

Reading between the lines the problems are also the crossing movements into Ramsgate, which if they conflict with a departure can be a nightmare to squeeze the time back out on the run into London. Breaking the turnround times also breaks the unit diagrams, which could then drive a higher unit (and probably driver) requirement for Ramsgate to resource. It's not just about it being worth their time - it's about being able to actually deliver the timetable the changes would produce.

 

[Cletus]

Is there anything that could be done between Dover and Thanet Parkway which would gain enough time to enable a stop? I'm aware the trains are very slow over the junctions onto the Deal line, but I assume not possible to fix without some heroic engineering works?

Yeah, missing out Sandwich, Deal, Walmer and Martin Mill

 

[NSEWonderer]

The part time platform staff job vacancy for Thanet Parkway looks pretty good for Part time at about 21k compared to many of their full time offerings. SE advertise its mostly 8hr shifts from Friday to Sunday.

 

[Blindtraveler]

So just to clarify, are we getting Thanet partway stops on the 375 operated services from December or are they just not happening at all

 

[PGAT]

Not happening in the foreseeable future

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @telstarbox to add to

 

[telstarbox]

A couple of updates:

Class 375s now call on the Charing Cross - Tonbridge - Ramsgate services;

There is a planning application for 200 dwellings on the adjoining field, which should reduce any 'white elephant' issues

 

[alex397]

A couple of updates:

Class 375s now call on the Charing Cross - Tonbridge - Ramsgate services;

There is a planning application for 200 dwellings on the adjoining field, which should reduce any 'white elephant' issues

Thanks for this info.
I will also add, I have seen people boarding/alighting every time I’ve stopped there when on a Javelin, though I probably only use that like about once every 2 months.

One thing I think needs to be improved is access to Cliffsend village, with one housing estate right next to the station. There’s no official path connecting this, but there’s a well used unofficial muddy path connecting it. I guess the issue would be ownership, as a small part of a farmers field is used, and then a private access way to garages.

 

[MarkyT]

Thanks for this info.
I will also add, I have seen people boarding/alighting every time I’ve stopped there when on a Javelin, though I probably only use that like about once every 2 months.

One thing I think needs to be improved is access to Cliffsend village, with one housing estate right next to the station. There’s no official path connecting this, but there’s a well used unofficial muddy path connecting it. I guess the issue would be ownership, as a small part of a farmers field is used, and then a private access way to garages.

On the north side, this made up path from Foads Hill leads to the cyclepath crossing the portal of the dual carriageway tunnel, only ~25m away. The secure gate suggests it's rail staff access only at time of photo, but a little boundary fence reroute could provide a very useful pedestrian link to the new station at minimal expense (assuming it hasn't already been carried out). Foads Hill crossing here is the effective 'centre' of the village. All roads lead to it really.

On the south side, there's a public right of way across the field which emerges from the mud somewhere in the Cottington Rd area. I think it was blocked off for the entire construction period, so I expect it's difficult to identify. Contractors created a new construction access on the edge of the field next to the railway. I don't think there has ever been an official connection between the ROW and the garages behind Earlsmead Crescent, though kids (and others) may have got through the fences and bushes as they often do.

 

[NeilCr]

I go through there most weeks and there certainly do seem to be more people getting on and off

Not a massive number and the car park is more empty than full but overall seems to be heading in the right direction

 

[MarkyT]

I go through there most weeks and there certainly do seem to be more people getting on and off

Not a massive number and the car park is more empty than full but overall seems to be heading in the right direction

Maybe people are being dropped off and picked up more than parking their own cars. The station is in in a useful enough place on the road network to be 'on the way' for many local journeys and not too far away from much of residential Thanet for people to use taxis economically too.

 

[NeilCr]

Maybe people are being dropped off and picked up more than parking their own cars. The station is in in a useful enough place on the road network to be 'on the way' for many local journeys and not too far away from much of residential Thanet for people to use taxis economically too.

Quite possibly

I’m there around 11 in the morning and 4.50 in the evening so not really peak times for commuters. Thought there might be some people parking to go to Westfield for shopping etc

But yes - definitely see the dropping off and picking up angle

 

[ScotGG]

Good to hear new housing proposed. This is often the way with new stations. White elephant claims without consideration of new housing potential in the vicinity.

 

[Farigiraf]

Southeastern to introduce stops at Thanet Parkway on Dover services from May 2025

In East Kent there will be additional stops at Thanet Parkway on trains to and from Dover Priory to improve connectivity to Canterbury West.

It appears the station will finally reach its full potential with trains via Sandwich gaining a call. Must be a sign that the station is doing well, though it has only recently reached 100,000 total entries/exits since opening, which if compared to nearby station Sturry (which only has an hourly service) is quite low, though Minster and Dumpton Park still sit below 100k. It's apparently to 'improve connectivity' to Canterbury West, however the only improved connections gained are to Sandwich (half hourly bus already exists), Deal (hourly bus), Walmer (hourly bus) and Martin Mill (small village).

 

[alex397]

Southeastern to introduce stops at Thanet Parkway on Dover services from May 2025


It appears the station will finally reach its full potential with trains via Sandwich gaining a call. Must be a sign that the station is doing well, though it has only recently reached 100,000 total entries/exits since opening, which if compared to nearby station Sturry (which only has an hourly service) is quite low, though Minster and Dumpton Park still sit below 100k. It's apparently to 'improve connectivity' to Canterbury West, however the only improved connections gained are to Sandwich (half hourly bus already exists), Deal (hourly bus), Walmer (hourly bus) and Martin Mill (small village).

Seems like the claims of Thanet Parkway being a ‘white elephant’ and a ‘complete waste of money’, as some locals claimed when it first opened, weren’t quite accurate then. Though there’s always a vocal minority who will be negative about literally anything.

Good that more links are being created. Though I’d still say the bus is the better option when travelling between Walmer/Deal/Sandwich which have direct buses and probably better journey times.
Though I do know people who prefer to travel between Canterbury and Whitstable by train, changing at Faversham, even though there’s a much more frequent and much faster direct bus route!
That said though, the last bus from Canterbury to Deal is at 18.50, and in the other direction an even earlier 16.40! With nothing on a Sunday. The Sandwich bus does still have a decent evening service though.