LONG-suffering rail commuters in Kent have been given a fillip with the news that domestic rail services on the Channel Tunnel rail link are likely to operate through both the Medway Towns and east Kent.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has announced it wants to see domestic services operating to Ebbsfleet in north Kent, through the Medway Towns and to Ashford and east Kent.

However, the option of services stopping at Maidstone has been ruled out for the time being.

It had been feared that rail passengers would be unable to benefit from the link when the SRA initially set out a range of options which excluded both Medway and east Kent.

Now, however, the SRA has set out a consultation document which suggests there should, in the core CTRL service, be two trains per hour to Ramsgate and Folkestone via Ashford and at least two per hour to serve the Medway Towns and four per hour to Ebbsfleet.

Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman, said: "We have a unique opportunity to develop a new model franchise for people in Kent and south-east London, reflecting current and future needs rather than patterns set 40 years ago.

In adopting our new-style franchise contract, the Integrated Kent Franchise will bring a much better focus on the needs of passengers - punctuality, information, security, cleanliness. If secured, these would offer additional benefits for many passengers including faster journey times."

Gillingham MP Paul Clark welcomed the news. He said: “All of our campaigning has finally paid off. For years we have been lobbying ministers on behalf of the long suffering commuters of Kent telling them, that the present service is just not good enough.

"The introduction of Channel Tunnel Rail Link domestic services is essential to the regeneration of the Thames Gateway, and for providing a rail service of a decent standard.”

It will be for transport secretary Alastair Darling to make the final decision.

The SRA is expected to announce shortly which companies are in the running to take over the franchise from Connex South East. It was stripped of the job earlier this year.