North Kent could become a transport hub if plans to extend Crossrail to the area go ahead.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London who are behind the cross-London link are looking again at the future eastern extension of the line.

Gravesend is being considered as the outer terminus with Dartford a stop on the way.

Gravesham Borough Council has been asked for its views on an extension of the line out to Gravesend railway station and will discuss the proposal at a meeting on Monday. It would mean a direct link to Heathrow airport.

Even if it gets the green light work is unlikely to start before 2017 when the initial project is due for completion.

Gravesham Borough Council Leader Cllr Mike Snelling said: "The prospect of Crossrail terminating at Gravesend has enormous potential but the problem is that it is a vague idea and we would urge that it becomes a firm commitment.

"It would mean that from this borough by train you could get to Europe, into London in just 20 minutes, and then direct to Heathrow. You would be connected to the world."

The plans do not include a stop at Ebbsfleet station but it would call at Dartford.

Three years ago Dartford Borough Council reacted angrily when Crossrail bosses revealed the new London rail service would stop short of the town, terminating at Abbey Wood.

A council spokesman said: "In 2005 we were stunned to find out that Crossrail wasn’t coming out to Ebbsfleet.

"It makes no sense for the service not to extend to Dartford and Ebbsfleet. It would be good for the area, good for businesses, and good for commuters."

The possibility of extending Crossrail to Gravesend was first touted in February 2005 when the Government issued a safeguarding direction for the North Kent railway line through Gravesham as far as Hoo Junction.

This meant no new developments could be built in those areas that could prevent the option in future.

However it never progressed because the Crossrail Bill had entered Parliament. Then all attention was focused on getting the original scheme off the ground from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood in the east.

But now the Bill has been passed, the DfT is looking again at the safeguarding and considering Gravesend station as a future outer eastern terminus.

The plans would employ disused lines to Denton as a place for trains to turn around.

Full story in this week's Gravesend Messenger out this Thursday.