A new station will open between Ramsgate and Minster at the end of next month.

Thanet Parkway has two 240m platforms suitable for 12-car trains, and will offer high speed services to London as well as trains to other places in Kent.

The station, which opens on 31 July, will be equipped with ticket machines, lifts, CCTV, hearing loops, passenger help points, bike racks and 293 car park spaces, along with charging points. Acoustic barriers will help to absorb noise.

Thanet Parkway is also a potential integrated transport hub. A new road provides a link to the station from the A299 Hengist Way.

Cliffsend and Sevenscore level crossings have been upgraded at the same time. At Cliffsend the half barriers are being replaced with full barriers controlled from the East Kent Signalling Centre in Gillingham. 

The station and level crossing works have been funded by the Department for Transport, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Thanet District Council, East Kent Spatial Development Company and Kent County Council.

The investment is part of Network Rail’s Thanet Corridor Enhancements Programme which includes upgrades to Dibleys, Ships Meadow and Grove Ferry crossings so that trains can run faster between Ashford, Canterbury West and Ramsgate.

Network Rail’s Kent route director David Davidson said: ‘The opening of this station is testament to the collaborative working relationship between our partners, and Thanet Parkway will play a central role in helping boost the local economy and support tourism by providing connections to a wide range of leisure destinations.

‘I look forward to seeing the first passengers using Thanet Parkway and would like to thank the many colleagues involved who have worked so hard with our partners.’

Southeastern managing director Steve White added: ‘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.’