Following on from previous discussion:
My own take on this is would be that there's a clear market opportunity for more through services to Gatwick Airport from the east, given it's such an enormous traffic generator. However, the practical reality of accommodating a second service which reverses at Redhill has regularly been pointed out.
I would furthermore suggest that a service from Medway will never be competitive on time, even if it it is just an extension of the Strood - Paddock Wood service. The M20 and M25 will always be quicker than running via Wateringbury and reversing at Redhill. However, for a through service from Canterbury and Ashford it could be much different.
A further and probably more realistic option would be a battery EMU service from Ashford International to London Victoria via Gatwick Airport, but that would only serve Ashford itself well, and not Staplehurst / Paddock Wood / Tonbridge - Gatwick Airport.
A through service from Strood to Gatwick Airport would be great, the last thing people laden with luggage want is multiple changes and at the moment the only realistic option is to go via London.
Unfortunately, previous attempts to run such services have shown that demand for a slow trundle on this route is practically inexistant even on through trains. Far more straightforward to go via London, particularly when Maidstone is linked to London Bridge (albeit more expensive).
My own take on this is would be that there's a clear market opportunity for more through services to Gatwick Airport from the east, given it's such an enormous traffic generator. However, the practical reality of accommodating a second service which reverses at Redhill has regularly been pointed out.
I would furthermore suggest that a service from Medway will never be competitive on time, even if it it is just an extension of the Strood - Paddock Wood service. The M20 and M25 will always be quicker than running via Wateringbury and reversing at Redhill. However, for a through service from Canterbury and Ashford it could be much different.
A further and probably more realistic option would be a battery EMU service from Ashford International to London Victoria via Gatwick Airport, but that would only serve Ashford itself well, and not Staplehurst / Paddock Wood / Tonbridge - Gatwick Airport.
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