Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
#77 has an overall faster track speed so probably not much in it. Also easier to use 12 carriages. Those who travel from Dover seemed too quick to accept the bus service in my opinion. The guesstimates from Network Rail employees has gone from 3 months to 6 months and recently 12 months.
Jack of Hearts
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
It really isnt a case of accepting or not, it is the only viable option for those who do not drive at this point in time.
Of course there is alternative rail options for Dovorians,either via Canterbury East to Faversham where there is then a choice of destinations, Charing Cross, St Pancras or Victoria. There is also the option of Changing at Canterbury East and walking to West for the High Speed to St Pancras or even to go via Ramsgate. to be honest all of these will take longer than getting a bus to Folkestone...
For Deal residents, there are less options and a longer coach journey to Folkestone so of course they are much more vocal about finding something that might take less time. That all of course depends on the capacity of the Minster Junction and its connection to Canterbury. Something that is unlikely to be upgraded in a hurry.
The timescale for fixing the problem is very much down to the design chosen and they haven't got to that stage yet, they are still trying to stop it getting any worse...
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,549
I wouldn't think it could be done another way, more quickly, would you?
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Interesting to read your views Ross. I guess if they do find slots in the timetable then its not worth running the service further than Deal or Walmer as no one from Dover would use it.
Jack of Hearts
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
It would really depend on service times....
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
People travelling for pleasure or with luggage would care more about having a direct service without bus/train transfers than about the journey time. People travelling light or on business or commuting daily are more concerned about the time taken.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,258
There will be chaos for the cruise operators if the line is still closed when the season starts lots arrive by train, and hundreds for the big disney ships.
Arte et Marte
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,706
I agree Peter, but my work depends on a sensible journey time on a daily basis so I speak from a personal perspective, albeit that also applies to a significant number of rail users from SE Kent
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,549
There's a video here (by a David Todd) showing the the protection works going right out under the cliffs,
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Avengers on the way!
Dawlish had an army of Network Rail engineering experts putting it right within a few months. However Network Rail seem less keen on reopening the Dover line and it looks like local MP's who are not experts have had to step in and try and get some momentum going. Very worrying.
http://www.dover-express.co.uk/Avengers-style-team-assembled-fight-Dover/story-28568699-detail/story.htmlJack of Hearts
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Ross Miller wrote:I agree Peter, but my work depends on a sensible journey time on a daily basis so I speak from a personal perspective, albeit that also applies to a significant number of rail users from SE Kent
Of course Ross, that was the point of my last sentence.
Perhaps car sharing to Ashford or Canterbury West is something worth considering?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
I think the problem with the route via Minster and Canterbury is lack of trains and crew to cover the service - and from Dover the bus connection to Folkestone would still be quicker.
Lew Finnis
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Was talking to a woman today a Dover Priory who was saying the buses at Folkestone Central to Dover are still not connecting properly with the trains and she often waits 15 minutes.
Jack of Hearts
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
According to the timetable. the wait at Folkestone Central should be around 10 minutes but no doubt traffic can have an impact at certain times of day (and how fast passengers changing at Folkestone West get to the buses).
Lew Finnis
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This bloke has certainly got some front not many commuters can afford to rent a London flat while the problem is being worked on, and what does he really expect an MP to achieve?
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/angry-commuter-slams-dover-mp-59549/Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
That man obviously has more money than sense, surely he could catch an earlier train or even drive to the nearest suitable station. I have no sympathy with him at all as he certainly does not live in the real world.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reginald Barrington- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,258
He's a banker
Arte et Marte
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Charlie said that, at least I think he did.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,883
Reginald Barrington wrote:He's a banker
Maybe you should have started your last word with a W.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------