Talks have taken place about providing a direct high-speed rail link between Thanet and the Dorset seaside resort of Bournemouth.

Representatives for transport minister Huw Merriman joined senior figures from both Kent and East Sussex county councils at a meeting in Westminster earlier this year, according to one of those present.

More talks are understood to be scheduled over the coming weeks.

The proposal, which all sides admit remains in its “infancy”, would see a direct service between Manston – presumably from the new Manston Parkway station, due to open in July - and Bournemouth. Although it seems more likely it would extend to Ramsgate.

The route would partially utlise the Marshlink line, currently operated by Southern, which links Ashford to Hastings. The idea would then see a direct line to Brighton before heading further down the south coast.

Calls to improve that portion of track have long been called for. Marshlink remains one of the few in the south east not to be electrified – with trains propelled by diesel engines. Improving that line would enhance access to HS1 services to the capital for those in East Sussex. It is this which is likely to be at the heart of interest from authorities across the county border.

But, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for transport, David Brazier, who attended the meeting, says the project will not be seen any time soon.

He explained: “Somebody has looked at this and said wouldn't it be good if we connected Manston, which of course is supposed to be a freight airport, with other major towns on the south coast.

“Blue-sky thinking became stratospheric and they said ‘well, we could go beyond Eastbourne and Brighton and we could go to Portsmouth and Southampton and Bournemouth would be the limit of our ambitions’.

“It's a wonderful idea which is unfundable - it will not be funded in my lifetime and probably not in yours.

“There are so many things to spend money on this would be about a million miles down the list.

“Fundamentally it might be something which happens in a very, very long time but not at the moment.”

The proposal was news to both Thanet MPs. When KentOnline spoke to North Thanet’s Sir Roger Gale and South Thanet’s Craig Mackinlay, both professed to not having heard of it before and doubting the purpose of such a route.

Mr Mackinlay added: “The focus should be on improving the Thanet to London links.”

Also in the dark about the early-stage suggestion was Tony Freudmann – the man behind RiverOak Strategic Partners, owners of the Manston Airport site.

“Bournemouth? Why Bournemouth?” he said. “I can guarantee you I’ve heard no such thing.”

RiverOak is currently awaiting a judicial review into whether it can finally push ahead with plans to reopen. It intends to be a cargo freight hub. If – and only if – that proves a financial success, it has suggested it could look at reintroducing passenger flights some years later.

However, with one of London’s ‘big two’ airports, Gatwick, far closer to those living west of Maidstone it seems unlikely to prompt a demand for flight passengers.

Certainly any proposal for the unlikely rail link would come at an eye-watering cost.

Currently, rail passengers from Thanet wanting to travel to Brighton have two options; either head into London and catch a direct route down to the East Sussex city, or travel to Ashford, change, and then head to Hastings. Another change at Hastings then takes you down to Brighton. Onward travel there, west, along the south coast is also fractured or requires a trip to London first, and then a service down from the capital to eventually reach Bournemouth.

The new Thanet Parkway station – which opens in July after being built at a cost of some £35 million – sits on the Ramsgate to Ashford line.

It is believed the organisation behind the proposals is the East Sussex Rail Alliance. Its chair is Ray Chapman, an experienced transport professional. He declined to comment when contacted.

It is thought East Sussex MPs and county council were keen on the idea as a chance to breathe new life into the likes of Hastings by providing a faster route, via Ashford, on HS1 and dramatically slashing travel times to Brighton. KCC had no involvement other than Cllr Brazier’s attendance.

He added: “There is no harm in thinking the thoughts or spending a couple of hours holding a meeting about it. KCC certainly didn't dream it up - we were only invited as we're the public transport authority for Kent, which is where the route would start.

“It's a good idea and perhaps one day its time will come, but I suspect not for several lifetimes.”

Also understood to have been present at the meeting was David Brooks Wilson, a former managing director of Eurotunnel Developments Ltd.

He has been on the board of inward investment agency Locate in Kent for many years before being appointed its chair just last month. He also declined to comment on his involvement or the scheme.

East Sussex County Council and the MPs involved were approached for comment.