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Maidstone Borough Council

External Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Maidstone Rail Services Review

Report of: Overview and Scrutiny Officer

1.      Introduction

1.1     At its meeting on 16 June, the External OSC agreed to carry out a review of rail services within the Maidstone Borough area.  The relevant extract from the minutes is as follows:

‘The Committee agreed to carry out a review of rail services to London, noting that these were being cut and residents were being forced to use alternative train stations to access services.  Additionally, Maidstone was a Growth Point and appropriate public transport for the growing population was therefore vital.  It was agreed that parish councils should be consulted as part of this review.’

1.2     At its previous meeting the Committee noted that the review would include all aspects of the rail services, such as the adequacy of station facilities and the provision of services within the rural areas.

1.3     The Committee will be interviewing Councillor Robertson, as the Council’s Railway Champion, who has been involved with the Council’s activities to date with regard to the provision of rail services for Maidstone.

2.      Recommended:

2.1     That the Committee considers the work in which Members have been involved in with regard to possible improvements of the rail services serving the Borough.