Train times between Strood and London will be halved at peak times when the new High Speed Trains are introduced.

Journeys will be slashed from 65 minutes to 36 minutes.

It is expected to lead to a rapid growth in passenger numbers. Southeastern Trains are projecting Strood custom will soar by 61 per cent in the next five years.

Rochester will get its own high speed train route to St Pancras when the new 140mph trains go into service in December next year.

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Transport planners at Southeastern Trains have decided that the only stations served by Rochester peak trains will be at Strood, and Stratford where connections will be provided to and from the Docklands Light Railway.

The remaining North Kent stations from Rainham will be served by trains from Broadstairs.

Gillingham is expected to grow by 33 per cent.

During the peaks there will be extra trains provided, but throughout the rest of the day the Japanese-built Class 395 trains will run twice an hour calling at all stops except Higham.

In a further change from the original timetables proposed by the Department for Transport, an extra stopping train is being introduced between Gillingham and Victoria. It will call at Swanley, St Mary Cray and Bromley South.

It will provide a 20 minute all-stops service along the current main route, with Meopham getting three trains an hour to Victoria.