The Countdown Begins

A major new high speed train service between London St Pancras, Ashford and the Kent coast is now less than 12 months away, with services starting in December 2009. A new fleet of 29 Hitachi Class 395 trains will be able to accelerate rapidly to 140mph, slashing the current journey times from London to Ashford from 83 minutes to 36.5 minutes. The first few trains have already arrived for testing, the remainder will be delivered in 2009. Commuters will travel at high speed on the fast new trains straight into the Docklands and central London and leisure passengers will see the distance between the Garden of England and London significantly reduce.

We are looking forward to all the opportunities this service will open to pupils visiting London's galleries, museums and other attractions as well as opening up weekly boarding at Ashford School to many more Londoners.

Click here to see one the trains on a test run to Ashford.