The Railway

- THE RAILWAY-

Title Page - Introduction - Photo Project - Photographer - Records - The Railway - The Gravesend Branch Railway - Finally

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will carry high speed passenger and freight trains from London to the Channel Tunnel, reducing journey times to Paris and Brussels. It is being built in two stages. Currently Eurostar services use existing tracks between London and Cheriton either via Tonbridge or Maidstone East.

The railway is the biggest and most important railway construction project in Britain for 100 years. When completed it will be the only purpose built high speed railway in Britain.

- STAGE 1 -

Work started on this section on 1st October 1998 with an official ground breaking ceremony at Cuxton close to the M2 bridge over the river Medway on the 15th of October. The ceremony was performed by The Rt. Hon. John Prescott M.P., Deputy Prime Minister. I was honoured to be one of the invited guests.

This stage is from Cheriton to Fawkham Junction via Ashford International Station. From Fawkham Junction trains will run on existing tracks to London's Waterloo International Station. Construction started in October 1998 and the first train will run in 2003. Part of the line between Fawkham Junction and Southfleet Junction will be built on the long disused Gravesend West branch line.

Historical notes on the Gravesend West Branch Railway are on a seperate page.

The Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Prescott M.P. at the Ground Breaking Ceremony - 15th October 1998

Map Showing The Channel Tunnel Rail Link

- STAGE 2 -

This section of the railway is from St. Pancras Station, London to Southfleet Junction near Gravesend where it will join Stage 1. The line will run via Stratford International Station (east London) and Ebbsfleet Station near Dartford, Kent. Much of the line will be in tunnel through east London and it will cross the river Thames also in a tunnel. The first train is expected to run in 2007.

Construction of this stage commenced in 2001.