1. History

2. Layout

3. Car Parking

4. Services

5. See also

6. References

7. External links

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| lowint1314 = {{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 85,895
| usage1415 = {{increase}} 2.336
| lowint1415 = {{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 96,584
| usage1516 = {{increase}} 2.406
| lowint1516 = {{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 98,439
| usage1617 = {{increase}} 2.468
| int1617 = {{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.108
| usage1718 = {{increase}} 2.581
| int1718 = {{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 0.119
| platforms = 2
| start = 6 February 1846
| gridref = TR145583
| dft_category = D
| listing_grade = Grade II listed
| listing_detail = Canterbury West Station
| listing_start =7 September 1973
| listing_amended =
| listing_entry = 1242649
| listing_reference= ^[1]
}}

Canterbury West railway station is the busier of the two stations in Canterbury in Kent, England. All services are operated by Southeastern with both main line and high speed trains serving the station.

Although called Canterbury West, the station is about {{convert|1/2|mi|sigfig=1}} due north of Canterbury East station, and only about {{convert|20|yards|sigfig=1}} to its west.

The station and its line was built by the South Eastern Railway, while Canterbury East was built by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway.

History

The station opened on 6 February 1846^[1] when the South Eastern Railway began services to Ashford. Two months later in April services were extended to Ramsgate, and to Whitstable after conversion of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway and closure of the North Lane terminus. The station was built with two central through tracks and three platforms, one for the Whitstable branch.^[2]

On 1 July 1889 the Elham Valley Railway reached Canterbury from Folkestone^[3] and at this time the run-in boards read Canterbury (SER) Change for Whitstable and Elham Valley Line.^[2]

The Whitstable branch closed to passenger traffic on 1 January 1931,^[4] and traffic from the Elham Valley into Canterbury ceased from 1 December 1940. Following the Southern Region Kent Coast Electrification Scheme Phase 2 electric services started on 9 October 1961. Freight services were withdrawn on 13 September 1965 and the central through tracks were removed later in 1979.^[2]

In 1973 the station buildings were Grade II listed^[5] by English Heritage.

In December 2009, Canterbury West became part of the Southeastern High Speed service to London St Pancras using the High Speed line from Ashford, significantly reducing journey times to London.

In 2010, the railway station was refurbished to improve the station's accessibility. Funded by the Department for Transport's Access for All Scheme, the main change was the construction of a new footbridge allowing a step-free route between the station entrance and both platforms using two lifts. Other improvements include new tactile paving along the edge of the platform, new toilet facilities, new customer information screens and lighting, the redecoration of the ticket office and changes to the car park layout.^[6]

In December 2013, a £535,000 upgrade to the station's forecourt and car park was completed.^[7]

Layout

Platform 1 (Ashford bound) houses the main ticket office with 2 public window counters and 3 self-service machines, Pumpkin Cafe and public toilets. Platform 2 (Coast bound) houses the main waiting room.

There was an additional cafe attached to the main waiting room and additional toilets. These were since removed from 1986, by the Department Of Transport, citing safety and accessibility concerns.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Car Parking

The station has 2 public car parks. Car park 1 has marked spaces for 63 vehicles, of which most are reserved for season ticket holders before 09:30 on Mondays to Fridays. Car park 2 is roughly-surfaced and marked in an ad-hoc manner with 36 parking bays. In addition, 3 disabled parking bays, the taxi rank, and 6 pick-up/drop-off 20 minute parking bays are located in the station forecourt.

Services

The typical off-peak service is

• 1 train to London St Pancras International via Ashford International, Ebbsfleet International and Stratford International
• 1 train to London Charing Cross, via Ashford International and Sevenoaks
• 1 train to London Victoria, via Ashford International and Maidstone East
• 2 trains to Ramsgate, one continuing to Margate

See also

• Canterbury East railway station
• Chartham railway station

References

External links

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