Bosses insist a controversial and over-budget new Kent railway station which opened today will provide a significant economic boost to a district.

Thanet Parkway has been built at a cost in excess of £35 million – more than treble the £11 million estimate first quoted in 2015, with potentially still more to spend.

It has been sited at Cliffsend, off the A299 Hengist Way, wedged between Ramsgate and Minster, which has also raised questions as to why it is needed.

Today a handful of passengers, mainly railway enthusiasts and officials, turned up for the first Javelin train to stop at 5.40am.

Rail bosses blame inflation, escalating materials costs and a variety of other necessary line work for the ballooning financing. But they are confident it will be well used, by both existing and new passengers.

They predict it will serve more than 100,000 customers in the first year and help the area grow economically by offering a high speed service to London St Pancras in just 70 minutes, as well as fast services to Canterbury and Ashford.

The majority of the funding for the project has come through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) with further grants totalling £7.5 million from Kent County Council.

A key factor in drawing passengers, rail chiefs argue, is the new station’s near 300-space car park, which Ramsgate and Minster cannot offer. Parking will be free until September when an ANPR system is expected to be installed.

The site will be manned by staff while the facility “beds in” but not routinely thereafter.

It has led to claims that the lack of staff will make the station “a mugger's paradise”.

Kent county councillor Barry Lewis (Lab) told KentOnline earlier this month: “For vulnerable people - especially women on their own - it will be a dangerous place.

“It will be a mugger’s paradise because we have no on-platform staff and no monitored CCTV.

“CCTV that is unmanned only records crime - it doesn’t stop it.”

Network Rail has moved to allay concerns, highlighting the station will come equipped with security lighting, cameras, and “remote assistance” for passengers.

Extra cost has been incurred in upgrading five level crossings, meaning that the extra stop at the new parkway station will not increase the existing journey time.

Thanet District Council leader Cllr Rick Everitt (Lab) is upbeat about the potential of the new station.

Asked about the controversy surrounding the cost and location, he said: “In railway terms, it’s the only place we could have had the station and I think it’s a great opportuinity for Thanet.

“A lot of national public money has been invested in the district which has got to be good news and it’s all about the future now and it triggering the economic growth we desperately need.

“We need people to come and live in Thanet and more visitors and this station will provide a lot of opportunities.”

Among the services provided at the station will be an electric minibus shuttle service to Discovery Park at Sandwich, as well as electric car charging points.

Steve White, Southeastern’s managing director, says Thanet Parkway is unique because no other station in the area offers passengers the ability to turn up and park with such ease.

He believes it will be used by both existing commuters and new ones, as well as serving the thousands of new homes being built in the area.

“We’re excited to begin services at Thanet Parkway, some 90 years after the people of Cliffsend last had their own railway station,” he said.

“Working with our partners to enable the communities on our network to thrive is important to us, and Thanet Parkway will offer a live example of what can be achieved.

“All-day high-speed services to St Pancras and peak services to London Bridge, Cannon Street and Charing Cross will bring new opportunities to experience the area’s tourist attractions, as well as the many business and employment opportunities nearby.”

He also promised good value fares, with off-peak high-speed return services to the capital available from under £40.

Network Rail route director David Davidson said there were no plans to downgrade Ramsgate station or cut its high-speed services.