Five years on and high-speed rail has ‘transformed the economic fortunes of Ashford’
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140 mph trains have helped make the international town a Mecca for businesses, residents, retailers and investors.
The UK’s only domestic high-speed rail service celebrates its fifth anniversary in December – and for one rapidly expanding Kent town, the 140mph train service ‘has transformed its economic fortunes’.
High-speed 1 trains (HS1) slashed journey times from Ashford to the capital by more than half to just 38 minutes when it launched in December 2009.
Five years on and Ashford business leaders say HS1 has given the town a massive competitive edge. ‘It has transformed our economic fortunes,’ says Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council.
He says the fast train service has attracted businesses and created jobs, improved the quality of life of commuters, drawn more people to live in the Garden of England and has put Ashford in poll position as the place to access London and European markets.
He adds: ‘HS1 is the most important economic boost to the South East in y...
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