Railway bosses are being urged to ensure long-delayed plans for a rail link to the capital are not cancelled altogether.

A proposed Thameslink service between Maidstone East and the heart of London was due to begin in January 2018, but has been postponed four times , with no signal of when it can be expected to finally arrive.

Now Kent County Council (KCC) is calling on transport chiefs to ensure the planned route goes ahead to increase connectivity between the County Town and the capital.

In its Kent Rail Strategy 2021, which is now out for public consultation, KCC acknowledges the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge drop in rail passenger numbers, but the local authority says future population growth in the next decade means investment in capacity is essential.

It describes rail travel as "central to economic recovery" and vital if any rebound is to also be "compatible with reduced congestion and carbon emissions".

The strategy document, which addresses the future of the railways across the county, says: "The proposed Thameslink service to Maidstone East has now been postponed on four occasions. It was originally due to commence in January 2018, and has since been delayed to May 2018, then to December 2018, then to December 2019, and recently to an unspecified date in the future.

"KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, and all his recent predecessors, have all written to the Rail Minister expressing the serious concerns of residents and businesses along the proposed route, many of whom have already made location decisions based on the proposed service."

Watch: Further delay to rail service between Maidstone and London

The proposal from the county council suggests at least an all-day service between Maidstone and Blackfriars, even if it is no longer possible to run the service on through the central core of Thameslink to St Pancras and beyond.

Capacity on the high-speed Southeastern route from Maidstone West is also highlighted as a priority, with extra capacity required for the popular commuter service to St Pancras.

If new rolling stock is not acquired for HS1 routes, the report warns of "crush-loaded standing conditions" during peak rush-hour periods from 2024.

Should an expanded fleet be agreed then platforms at Maidstone West would need to be extended to make the operation of 12-car trains possible.

Improvements to signalling in the congested Sevenoaks area, and power supply upgrades south of Tunbridge Wells , have also been identified as ways of increasing capacity through increased frequency and longer trains.

Public consultation on the draft Kent Rail Strategy 2021 closes on November 17. You can view the full draft plan here .

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