High(ish) speed links
Written by Matt B · first published 20/08/2009
I see that the first high speed rail links will begin this September bringing the time into London down from just over two hours to around one and a quarter hours (give or take a little). Is 1.25 hours fast enough to make a difference to Thanet?
If Mr Smith starts work in London at say 9am then he would need to arrive by 8:50am. So he would need to have made the tube journey before that. Let us assume that regardless of where he leaves from the tubes take no more than a quarter of an hour to get him to work. That means that he must get on an underground train at 8:35am and as they run every 3 to 4 minutes he needs to enter the station by 8:31am. Assuming it takes 3 minutes to get there (if he runs and there is no other problems) that means the train needs to get in by 8:28am.
Assuming his train runs on time and perfectly in sync with this by the current speed he would need a train that departs no later than 6:18am. With the new higher speed trains he would need to be off by 7:07am.
So Mr Smith needs to be at Ramsgate station by 7am washed, breakfasted and dressed. I'm guessing he sets his alarm clock for 5:30am.
He would arrive in Ramsgate if every connection was perfect no earlier than 6:43pm or more likely 7:30pm. To get a full 8 hours kip he would need to be home and in bed by 8pm.
So while the new high speed link bring plausibility to Thanet will it actually bring that much change? Can you imagine a well paid executive pulling a 12 hour work day to live cheaply in Ramsgate or Margate? Maybe you can but I'm not as confident as our current leaders. Not at all.
If Mr Smith starts work in London at say 9am then he would need to arrive by 8:50am. So he would need to have made the tube journey before that. Let us assume that regardless of where he leaves from the tubes take no more than a quarter of an hour to get him to work. That means that he must get on an underground train at 8:35am and as they run every 3 to 4 minutes he needs to enter the station by 8:31am. Assuming it takes 3 minutes to get there (if he runs and there is no other problems) that means the train needs to get in by 8:28am.
Assuming his train runs on time and perfectly in sync with this by the current speed he would need a train that departs no later than 6:18am. With the new higher speed trains he would need to be off by 7:07am.
So Mr Smith needs to be at Ramsgate station by 7am washed, breakfasted and dressed. I'm guessing he sets his alarm clock for 5:30am.
He would arrive in Ramsgate if every connection was perfect no earlier than 6:43pm or more likely 7:30pm. To get a full 8 hours kip he would need to be home and in bed by 8pm.
So while the new high speed link bring plausibility to Thanet will it actually bring that much change? Can you imagine a well paid executive pulling a 12 hour work day to live cheaply in Ramsgate or Margate? Maybe you can but I'm not as confident as our current leaders. Not at all.
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Waste and recycling collections may be suspended say council 
steve wrote:
I get a train at Cannon street at 1730 or 1750. I get home at 1930/2000.
Whether I've lived in central london, essex, or other parts of Kent, my day has usually been as long, I just spend less time in the office now. I get to work on the train.
8 hours sleep - oh to be a journalist and work locally. 14/15 hour days away from home are the norm I'm afraid in many London based businesses.
londoners are buying up property in Thanet, specifically Ramsgate for many reasons - its relatively cheap, its by the seaside,its not London or london suburbs, its got good schools, the harbopur, sandy beaches, great restaurants, walks etc etc. High speed trains adds another reason- it becomes commutable. Its a very desireable place to live.
high speed trains will be as revolutionary for Ramsgate as the first steam trains were.
If only the council realised it and stopped ruining the place with the airport.