As long ago as 2017, commuters were promised a new all-day train service from Maidstone East to London Bridge and the City.

The service was to stop only at Otford, near Sevenoaks, and Swanley, which should have cut commuting times from Maidstone East to 58 minutes and from Otford to 33 minutes. But the service has not materialised.

In February this year, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott (Con) challenged the Prime Minister about the service in the House of Commons.

Boris Johnson replied: "I thank my honourable friend for rightly raising the issue of rail connections between Maidstone East and the City.

"The Secretary of State for Transport has just indicated to me that those connections are his highest priority.”

Ten months later, there is still no service.

Now Mrs Trott and Tom Tugendhat, the MP for Tonbridge and Malling have arranged a virtual meeting with the Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, to discuss the issue.

Network Rail has written in its Kent Route Study report that there is no ability to increase peak capacity on the main line through Sevenoaks, and a Maidstone East fast service is the only possibility for more capacity for the whole of the western half of Kent.

The key to introducing the new service is the two paths through the Thameslink core allocated to Maidstone. Other routes, such as from Brighton and Gatwick, want those paths to further expand their services.

Roger Johnson, the vice chairman of the Sevenoaks Rail Travellers Association, said: "We know there are other rail routes such as those from Brighton want these paths.

"If we do not act now, all prospects of improving our services from west Kent will disappear for ever!"

He is urging commuters to log on to the virtual meeting in the hope that the number of people showing an interest will help to persuade the Rail Minister to act.

Maidstone transport campaigner and chairman of the Medway Valley Community Rail Partnership, James Willis agreed.

Mr Willis said: "It's really important that Maidstone residents and businesses and our elected representatives get behind this. The Thameslink service could make a huge difference to our local economy post the Covid crisis.

"Maidstone has been promised this service for years, now it's time to deliver."

The meeting is on Monday, December 14, at 5.30pm.

Mr Johnson said: "More than anything else, a large attendance at this virtual meeting, can persuade the Minister that the Prime Minister’s commitment to us must be honoured."

"Give just 30 minutes of your time to attend this virtual meeting to help get the trains moving."

Attendance at the virtual meeting can be arranged through Laura Trott’s office here.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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Read more: All the latest news from Tonbridge

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