80-593: Folkestone Harbour station was one of four railway stations in Folkestone , Kent . It served Folkestone Harbour with connecting boat train services across the English Channel to Calais and Boulogne . The station was opened by the South Eastern Railway (SER) in 1849 as part of a project to redevelop the harbour and connect it to the wider railway network. The local geography prevented direct access from
160-738: A harbor was built, though the coming of the railways in 1843 had a greater impact on its development. Dover Hill, the highest point in Folkestone, was a sighting point for the Anglo-French Survey (1784–1790) , which measured the precise distance between the Royal Greenwich Observatory and the Paris Observatory . The hill provided a sight-line to the east along the line of the Folkestone Turnpike to Dover Castle , one of
240-462: A branch line was proposed. Construction began in 1843, with the line intended mainly for freight. The route left the South Eastern main line at Folkestone Junction (by the then main station ) and was double tracked, running at a gradient of 1-in-32 over 1 mile (1.6 km). It reached the harbour on a 138-foot (42 m) viaduct designed by SER chief engineer William Cubitt . A swing bridge
320-489: A benefit football match following the flood. Folkestone was at one stage a resort town with a developed shipping trade. With the decline of those industries others have filled the gap. The Dormobile works, car conversion manufacturers were based in the town. Church and Dwight , the US company famous for Arm & Hammer baking soda -based consumer products, has its UK headquarters in the town. Silver Spring Mineral Water Company ,
400-460: A change of direction (reversal) at Folkestone Junction. The SER planned to extend the branch line from Sandling to Sandgate to reach the harbour directly, but were blocked by the Earl of Radnor who owned the land. Nevertheless, the station became popular with passengers in Folkestone as it avoided climbing a steep hill on foot to meet the mainline stations. The station was opened on 1 January 1849, but
480-561: A constituent of the Southern Railway as part of the 1923 Grouping . By the end of the 19th century, the SER and LC&DR had fought over a small and not particularly lucrative territory for 40 years. Both were notorious for the poor punctuality of their services and the decrepitude of their rolling stock, and the struggles had driven both companies to the verge of bankruptcy. It became inevitable that they must combine or succumb. The SE&CR
560-588: A daily service opened for war refugees from Folkestone Harbour to Holborn Viaduct via Orpington and Herne Hill . Following the war, there was a shortage of steamers and so for a time, there were no passenger services. The station was substantially rebuilt in 1938–39. The line was electrified at the same time as the main line during the "Kent Coast Electrification – Stage 2" in June 1961, and passenger trains were formed of electric multiple units . Freight services were withdrawn on 17 August 1968. A transparent footbridge
640-612: A more luxurious one in about 200 AD. The villa was abandoned during the 3rd or 4th century for unknown reasons. In 597 AD, monks, led by Augustine of Canterbury , arrived at Ebbsfleet on the Isle of Thanet , on a mission from Pope Gregory to re-Christianise Britain. He was greeted by the Anglo-Saxon pagan King of Kent, Æthelberht , and his Christian Queen, Bertha . Augustine was granted land in Canterbury, where he built his church and, outside
720-577: A new academy that opened in September 2015. Martello Grove Academy moved to new buildings on its campus in Warren Way in autumn 2016. Footballer and army officer Walter Tull attended the town's Mundella Primary School when it was North Board School. The town is situated at the foot of the North Downs , with views of the surrounding countryside and the coast of France, 24 mi (39 km) away. The area
800-520: A railtour to the branch using the Southern Railway preserved diesel electric Class 201 No. 1001. On 20 March 2009, Network Rail announced they had begun the formal process to close the line and station on cost grounds, having redeveloped Folkestone West with new waiting facilities for the VSOE passengers. By August 2010, the closure process had not proceeded past the statutory "mothballing" stage, making
880-411: A recreational space and promenade to which the public has access, including bars and restaurants, with entertainment at weekends and on some evenings. The former railway station and harbour viaduct have been reconstructed as a successful public walkway and promenade following the full closure of the branch railway in 2014. The governance of Folkestone lies in both national and local government. Insofar as
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#1733138940951960-581: A variety of courses including Apprenticeships, Hairdressing and Construction. From 2007 to 2013, the University Centre Folkestone (a joint initiative of Canterbury Christ Church University and University of Greenwich ) was located in the town providing a specialism in Performing Arts. There are a number of primary schools in the town. State primaries include Folkestone Primary, Sandgate Primary, Morehall Academy and Martello Grove Academy,
1040-534: A visitor centre. The Folkestone White Horse is carved on Cheriton Hill above the Channel Tunnel terminal. The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty includes part of the town area. The nearby Brockhill Country Park , to the west, with footpaths around a lake and in a valley, links with the Royal Military Canal at Hythe . Folkestone is near to two important Battle of Britain landmarks –
1120-483: A wide variety of locations around the town. Many of the commissioned works remain permanently in the town. The 2011 Triennial 'A Million Miles From Home' was launched on 24 September 2010 and commissioned 19 international artists to develop new works for Folkestone's streets, squares, beaches and historic buildings. Folkestone has an annual Chamber Music Festival each May curated by the Sacconi Quartet . The festival
1200-482: A year-round programme of concerts, talks and workshops. South Eastern and Chatham Railway The South Eastern and Chatham Railway Companies Joint Management Committee ( SE&CRCJMC ), known as the South Eastern and Chatham Railway ( SE&CR ), was a working union of two neighbouring rival railways, the South Eastern Railway (SER) and London, Chatham and Dover Railway (LC&DR), which operated between London and south-east England. Between 1899 and 1923,
1280-525: Is a coastal town on the English Channel , in Kent , south-east England . The town lies on the southern edge of the North Downs at a valley between two cliffs. It was an important harbour, shipping port, and fashionable coastal resort for most of the 19th and mid-20th centuries. This location has had a settlement since the Mesolithic era . A nunnery was founded by Eanswith , granddaughter of Æthelberht of Kent in
1360-497: Is a magnet for passing migrating birds and the Warren (woodlands adjoining Wear Bay) and the cliffs above are of particular interest during the spring and autumn periods. These are now part of East Cliff and Warren Country Park . Folkestone Parks and Pleasure Grounds Charities are lands which were donated to the people of Folkestone for perpetual recreational use by the Earls of Radnor during
1440-568: Is based in the town's 13th century Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe in the Bayle and comprises concerts of chamber and ensemble music with guest performers. The church also hosts a series of Sunday afternoon concerts under the auspices of Bayle Music presenting local, national and international performers as well as occasional concerts by visiting choirs and ensembles. Folkestone New Music promotes concerts of contemporary music and Folkestone Early Music explores music, from medieval to baroque, through
1520-545: Is represented by Dylan Jeffrey (Conservative). Folkestone East is represented by Jackie Meade (Labour). The second tier of local government is the non-metropolitan district . Folkestone forms a part of Folkestone and Hythe district, which was first established by the Local Government Act 1972 as Shepway. Folkestone elects 10 of Folkestone and Hythe District Council's 30 Councillors. The third and lowest tier
1600-478: Is the biggest entertainment and function venue in Folkestone with a large choice of concerts, comedy and theatre. An earlier venue the Pleasure Gardens Theatre opened in 1886, later converting into a cinema before closing in 1964. The first Folkestone Triennial art event took place between June and September 2008 with artists such as Christian Boltanski and Tracey Emin making site specific work for
1680-579: The Annual General Meeting and Mayor-making ceremony to appoint both a Town Mayor and a Deputy Mayor from their number for the coming year. Folkestone is located where the southern edge of the North Downs escarpment meets the sea. In contrast to the white cliffs at Dover further to the east, the cliffs at Folkestone are composed of greensand belonging to the Folkestone Formation and gault clay . A small stream, Pent Brook, cuts through
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#17331389409511760-796: The Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum . The Old High Street is an ancient route connecting the Bayle with the Harbour, and is now at the heart of Folkestone's Creative Quarter. The narrow, cobbled slope was one of Charles Dickens' favourite streets. Together with Rendezvous Street, this part of Folkestone is now thriving, with independent businesses and restaurants surrounded by colourful restored buildings. Folkestone developed because of its transport links. With France visible across
1840-461: The Channel Tunnel in 1994 made Folkestone Harbour uncompetitive, and the station began to decline, with regular passenger services ending in 2001. After this, the line saw occasional steam rail tours and Venice-Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) trains, with the final service running in 2009. The station was formally closed in 2014, and redeveloped into a market and restaurants along with the rest of
1920-526: The Chatham Main Line were diverted to Folkestone Harbour to serve Boulogne or Calais . In 1900, the SECR proposed a 900-foot (270 m) extension to the pier, allowing for more berths. The SER's original wooden pier was replaced with a granite one. Work was completed by 1903 at a cost of £436,000 (£59,140,000 as of 2023). At the same time, the swing bridge over the harbour was replaced. The improved station
2000-550: The Kent Battle of Britain Museum and the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne . Folkestone has been home to many galleries over the years. The long-established Metropole Galleries, located in the one-time Metropole Hotel on the Leas, staged year round exhibitions until it closed in 2008. Its place has been largely taken by the Creative Foundation. The Foundation has opened a medium scale theatre, conference and music venue in
2080-588: The M25 . The A20 is motorway-standard to Dover and runs locally towards Ashford and London, following the M20 but runs locally via Sellindge , Ashford, Lenham , Maidstone, Aylesford , Wrotham and Swanley where the A20, M20 and M25 meet and the A20 continues through Sidcup and Lewisham to Central London . Folkestone marks the eastern end of the A259 although this is no longer part of
2160-488: The South Eastern Main Line . Venice-Simplon Orient Express passengers now change at Folkestone West for road coaches and the onward journey through the Channel Tunnel . High Speed 1 (HS1) is a high speed railway built to French 'LGV' (Ligne à Grande Vitesse) standards, connecting the Channel Tunnel to London. Since December 2009, high speed commuter services from Dover have called at Folkestone and then, using
2240-431: The South Eastern main line , so a 1-mile (1.6 km) 1-in-32 branch line was built from Folkestone Junction, which crossed the harbour on a viaduct, reaching the station at the pier. Originally designed for freight, the line also became popular with continental passenger services. The station was redeveloped in the early 20th century and it was an important destination for soldiers during World War I . The opening of
2320-556: The Strait of Dover , the town became an important transit point for those travelling from the UK to the Continent. Plans to restore ferry traffic to Boulogne , following termination in 2001, were discussed in 2005, but they did not come to fruition. The Channel Tunnel northern entrance is located at Cheriton. The railway reached Folkestone on 28 June 1843 and a temporary railway station was built while
2400-463: The 1970s). There are two selective state secondary schools – Folkestone School for Girls (formed by the merger of Folkestone Technical High School for Girls and Folkestone Grammar School for Girls in the 1980s) and the Harvey Grammar School for boys; the latter was founded in 1674. These two schools have a common sixth form timetable. East Kent College have a Folkestone campus providing
2480-491: The 19th century is true of English place names generally). Folkestone is often misspelled with variants including Folkston, Folkstone & Folkestone. The area of Folkestone has been occupied since at least the Mesolithic era. In 2010, worked flints were discovered below the remains of the Folkestone Roman Villa . The East Cliff area was excavated in 1924 and most recently from 2010 to 2011, producing artifacts from
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2560-669: The 19th century. The lands are administered by Shepway District Council, with the Cabinet members forming the Board of Trustees . Previously, the Charter Trustees were also Trustees of the Charities, but that arrangement lapsed upon the parishing of the Folkestone and Sandgate area. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the transfer of the lands to Folkestone Town Council and Sandgate Parish Council. There are two major long distance footpaths through
2640-484: The 7th century, who is still commemorated as part of the town's culture. During the 13th century, it developed into a seaport , and the harbor developed during the early 19th century to defend against a French invasion. Folkestone expanded further west after the arrival of the railway in 1843 as an elegant coastal resort, thanks to the investment of the Earl of Radnor under the urban plan of Decimus Burton. In its heyday – during
2720-606: The Channel Tunnel, is in the Folkestone suburb of Cheriton . The Leas Lift , a Victorian water lift that opened in 1885, connects the Leas with the beach. There were two other lifts on the Leas in Folkestone history: the Metropole Lift (closed in 1940) and the Sandgate Hill Lift, which closed in 1918. The town is located at the eastern end of the M20 which provides fast access to Ashford , Maidstone , London and also to
2800-584: The Edwardian era – Folkestone was considered the most fashionable resort of the time, visited by royalties – amongst them Queen Victoria and Edward VII and other members of the English aristocracy. The town's architecture, especially in the West End part, is a testimony of this period, with many impressive buildings, townhouses, villas, private squares, and large hotels built to accommodate the gentry. After two world wars and
2880-630: The Mesolithic period through to the Roman era . On the East Cliff, an extensive Iron Age oppidum existed, which produced quern-stones on an almost industrial scale. Those quern-stones, which were used for grinding cereals into flour, were traded for continental exports such as pottery and wine. A modest Roman-style villa was constructed over the Iron Age settlement sometime during the 1st century AD, followed by
2960-641: The SE&;CR had a monopoly of railway services in Kent and to the main Channel ports for ferries to France and Belgium. The companies had competed extensively, with some of the bitterest conflicts between British railway companies. Competing routes to the same destinations were built, so several towns in Kent had been served with a similar frequency service by both companies. In places, unfettered competition allowed two stations and services to multiple London termini. It would be
3040-616: The SER branch from Strood to Chatham alongside the LC&;DR's main line to Chatham was closed prior to World War I . The overlapping networks on the Isle of Thanet (Margate-Broadstairs-Ramsgate) were rationalised by the Southern Railway. Service cuts under BR saw Gravesend lose its second station. After the formation of the SE&CR, three minor lines were built before the formation of the Southern Railway in 1923. They were: The LC&DR's works at Longhedge , Battersea closed in 1911 and production
3120-831: The South Coast Trunk Road east of Brenzett, although it remains a primary route. The road gives access to the Romney Marsh , Hastings , Eastbourne and beyond. To the north, roads connect Folkestone to Canterbury and the nearby villages of Elham and Lyminge . Stagecoach in East Kent operates local buses from the town. It is served by The Link services to Canterbury , The Wave service to Dover , Romney Marsh and Hastings . Other bus routes run to Hythe , Ashford and Maidstone. National Express runs coaches to Ashford, Dover, Hythe, Maidstone and London. Schools and colleges in Folkestone include Folkestone Academy (formed by
3200-534: The South Eastern Main Line to Ashford International , the services join HS1 for the journey to Ebbsfleet , Stratford International and London St Pancras . The journey time to London via this route has been reduced to under 1 hour; some trains from Folkestone West take as little as 52 minutes to reach the capital by High Speed Train. The Eurotunnel Shuttle terminal, for car transport to Calais by train using
3280-586: The West Cliff and The Bayle to the West, and the East Cliff on the other side of the stream. The Pent Stream now runs through a culvert from the fire station, at the junction of Radnor Park Road, Park Farm and Pavilion Road, until it reaches the inner harbour. Remains of a quay, dating to the 17th century, were discovered under what is now a public car park, between the Old High Street and the railway viaduct, adjacent to
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3360-461: The boom of the overseas holiday package, the town quickly declined. The harbour's trade diminished following the opening of the nearby Channel Tunnel and the ending of ferry services from Folkestone, but it still remains in active use. Although Kent was the first part of the British mainland to be conquered and settled by the invading Angles, Saxons and Jutes from the middle of the 5th century AD, after
3440-402: The cliffs at this point, and provided the original haven for fishermen and cross-channel boats. The cliffs are constantly under attack from the sea, and the original headlands, which once protected the port, long ago ceased to do so. Artificial protection, in the form of breakwaters and piers, have been necessary since the 17th century. The town is now built on both sides of the original valley:
3520-571: The construction of the line to Dover continued. This started with the Foord viaduct, designed by Sir William Cubitt , completed in 1844. Folkestone Junction railway station was then opened and construction through the cliffs between Dover and Folkestone commenced. Once the line was opened to Dover , the town began to prosper (which meant growth westwards), further stations were opened at Folkestone West (originally named Shorncliffe Camp ) in 1863, and Folkestone Central in 1884. Folkestone Harbour station
3600-619: The current harbour. Included in the town is Cheriton , where the Channel Tunnel 's northern exit is located; Newington ; and Peene . In August 1996 a one-in-600-years storm left homes and businesses in Black Bull Road, in the Foord Valley, under two metres of water. Heavy rainfall combined with inadequacies in the Pent Stream and local drainage caused the flooding. A crowd of 2,332 saw Folkestone Invicta play hosts to West Ham United in
3680-488: The departure of the Romans, the name Folcanstan did not appear until the late 7th century. There is general agreement that this means Folca's stone , the stone possibly marking the meeting place of the local hundred . It was not until the mid 19th century that the spelling of "Folkestone" was fixed as such, with the Earl of Radnor requesting that the town's name be standardized (although this tendency towards standardisation in
3760-489: The harbour complex. Folkestone Harbour was in decline in the 1830s, as nearby Dover became an increasingly important cross-channel port. Ships had difficulty approaching because of drifting shingle blocking the entryway. The harbour was acquired by the South Eastern Railway (SER) in August 1843 for redevelopment, but the steep chalk downs around the town made it impractical to route a main railway line through it. Consequently,
3840-463: The harbour was Grade II listed in January 2012. Its listing by Historic England refers to "group" value with the harbour's east pier and lighthouse, which are also Grade II listed. In 2006, 1,000 new houses and apartments were planned around Folkestone Harbour, but they could not be practically served by the branch line. Network Rail decided that it could not justify maintaining the route, so it began
3920-539: The heart of the Creative Quarter named Quarterhouse. It offers a year-round programme of live music, comedy, film, talks, theatre and children's entertainment. George's House Gallery and Googie's Art Cafe hold frequent exhibitions by local artists and the Folkestone Art Society, established in 1928, holds three annual art exhibitions and publishes an annual art review of work by local artists. Leas Cliff Hall
4000-439: The high altar, found a battered lead casket immured in a niche in the north wall of the chancel. Examination by archaeologists at the time, and again in 1981, confirmed that the casket was of Anglo-Saxon origin and the few bone fragments were those of a woman in her early thirties. The relics are still housed in the church, close to where they were discovered, flanked by a pair of small brass candlesticks. St Eanswythe also appears on
4080-497: The line was reduced to single track operation. In 2003, a report showed that the line over the viaduct was rusty and the station as "deserted and decrepit". On 20 May 2004, the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) began two scheduled services per week from Victoria to Paris via Ashford and Folkestone Harbour, reversing at Folkestone Junction. These services lasted until 2008. The swing bridge and viaduct over
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#17331389409514160-574: The merger of Hillside School for Boys and Holywell School for Girls in the early 1970s, and formerly known as Wyndgate Secondary School in the 1970s, the Channel High School in the 1980s, and the Channel School in the 1990s); and Turner Free School (opened in 2018 on the site of Pent Valley Technology College, formerly Pent Valley Secondary Modern, formed by the merger of Harcourt Secondary School for Girls and Morehall Secondary School for Boys in
4240-442: The mid-1800s by Decimus Burton who also worked on Regent's Park , London and St Leonards-on-Sea . The promenade along the sea includes many crescents, hotels, private parks and alleys. A Martello Tower (No 3) stands on the cliff above Copt Point. Built in 1806 as a defence against Napoleon , it has also been a Coast Guard lookout, a family home, a golf clubhouse and a Second World War Naval mine control post. It now houses
4320-593: The national government is concerned, Folkestone is part of the constituency of Folkestone and Hythe , which is currently (2024) represented by Tony Vaughan (Labour). Before Brexit in 2020, Folkestone was part of the South East England constituency in the European Parliament . The local government consists of three tiers. In the first tier, Kent County Council , Folkestone is divided into two divisions each returning one County Councillor . Folkestone West
4400-448: The northern part of the link to the main line has been mothballed, with no definitive plans. On 19 March 1844, a platelayer was killed on the incline leading into the station when he was hit by a coal train without brakes. Citations Sources 51°04′41″N 1°11′15″E / 51.0781°N 1.1874°E / 51.0781; 1.1874 Folkestone Folkestone ( / ˈ f ə ʊ k s t ən / FOHK -stən )
4480-487: The process to close the station permanently, turning the viaduct into a pedestrian walkway. The closure was objected to by the freight carrier DB Schenker , the Department for Transport (DfT) and Southeastern . During 2008, the VSOE still used Folkestone Harbour with its last train travelling on 13 November. A small number of trains visited the branch thereafter; the final one was a steam-hauled rail tour by 70013 Oliver Cromwell from Victoria on 14 March 2009. As part of
4560-408: The railway still officially operational so that all objections could be properly addressed. On 20 November 2013, the DfT published a proposal to close the line and station serving Folkestone Harbour. Consultation on the closure ended on 28 February 2014, and the line was formally closed on 31 May. In 2015, the Folkestone Harbour Company commenced a £3.5 million project to refurbish the viaduct and
4640-403: The redevelopment proposals, Network Rail planned to demolish the line once it had been closed. A group named the Remembrance Line Association formed, opposing this action with the hope that the line could be turned into a heritage railway and the station into a museum. The group included future UK Independence Party leader Henry Bolton . On 21 December 2008, the Remembrance Line Association ran
4720-406: The shipping trade but have since diversified into other fields. Saga plc has its headquarters in Folkestone. Along with other Kent seaside towns, there has been a resurgence in domestic tourism linked to a growing arts scene. The major landmark in Folkestone, apart from the harbour, is The Leas, the cliffs above the beach. Located in the west part of the town, it is a unique promenade designed in
4800-429: The station, retaining the remaining tracks, and repairing the canopies and the customs house . The viaduct across the harbour was opened as a pedestrian route in 2017. The station and harbour front were redeveloped into markets and food stalls. The station is planned to become integrated into the wider development of the beachfront and the harbour. Though the station, viaduct and harbour have been extensively redeveloped,
4880-453: The town's seal, along with William Harvey , the Folkestone-born 17th-century physician who discovered the blood circulation. A Norman knight held a Barony of Folkestone, which led to its entry as a part of the Cinque Ports in the thirteenth century and, with that, the privilege of being a wealthy trading port. At the start of the Tudor period , it had become a town in its own right. Wars with France meant that defenses had to be built, and
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#17331389409514960-424: The town. The North Downs Way , starting its course in Surrey , reaches the coast at Folkestone and continues through Capel-le-Ferne , and to its end at Dover , some 8 mi (13 km) away. The Saxon Shore Way starts at Gravesend , Kent and traces the Kent coast as it was in Roman times , via Folkestone, as far as Hastings , East Sussex, 163 miles (262 km) in total. Nearby places of interest include
5040-412: The two additional rails energised at +1500 V DC and the other at −1500 V DC. Current would have been collected by side-contact, with the conductor rails protected by wooden boarding on top and at the sides. Trains would have consisted of multiple-units, each including two motor coaches, each motor coach having two traction motors: one motor coach would have been supplied by the positive conductor rail,
5120-422: The two principal cross-channel observation points, the other being Fairlight Down in Sussex. Until the 19th century, Folkestone remained a small fishing community with a seafront continually battered by storms and encroaching shingles, making it hard to land boats. In 1807, an act of Parliament , the Folkestone Pier and Harbour Act 1807 ( 47 Geo. 3 Sess. 2 . c. ii), was passed to build a pier and harbour, which
5200-406: The walls, founded the monastery of St Peter & St Paul, now known as St Augustine's . Æthelberht was succeeded as Anglo-Saxon king of Kent by his son Eadbald , whose daughter Eanswythe refused all offers of marriage. In 630, Eanswythe founded a nunnery on the site of her father's castle near Folkestone by the present parish church of St Mary & St Eanswythe . Eanswythe died around 640 and
5280-473: Was added to the viaduct in 1847, which allowed trains to cross the harbour and reach the southern pier. The harbour was extended over reclaimed land via a stone groyne gradually southwards to catch drifting shingle, which built up and allowed the SER to build a longer pier that ferries could use irrespective of the height of the tide. For most of its life, the station's main traffic was passengers travelling on boat trains directly from or to London, albeit with
5360-510: Was bought by the South Eastern Railway (SER), which was then building the London to Dover railway line. George Turnbull was responsible in 1844 for building the Horn pier. Dredging the harbour, and the construction of a rail route down to it, began almost immediately. The town soon became the SER's principal packet station for the Continental traffic to Boulogne . The last ferry ran in 2001. The Harbour Arm, formerly used solely for port activities, has been extensively restored and developed as
5440-418: Was built by Thomas Telford in 1809. By 1820 a harbour area of 14 acres (5.7 hectares) had been enclosed. Folkestone's trade and population grew slightly, but development was still hampered by sand and silt from the Pent Stream. The Folkestone Harbour Company invested heavily in removing the silt but with little success. 1842, the company went bankrupt, and the government put the derelict harbour up for sale. It
5520-466: Was built over the station in 1980, to avoid having to cross an electrified line. In 1994, the opening of the nearby Channel Tunnel led to the majority of ferry operators moving to other ports in the South East, with the result that only two services per day were arriving at Folkestone Harbour, to connect with the Hoverspeed SeaCat services. When these were moved to Ramsgate , the station closed to cross-channel rail traffic in 2001. Shortly afterwards,
5600-419: Was concentrated at Ashford . Harry Wainwright was replaced by Richard Maunsell as Locomotive Superintendent in 1913. With the development and implementation of electrification by the L&SWR , the LB&SCR , the " Tube " companies and tram operators in the early twentieth century, the SE&CR planned to start electrifying its lines. The proposed method would have used four rails , with one of
5680-400: Was demolished in the early 1960s. The swing bridge over the harbour was replaced in 1893. The current bridge was constructed by the Southern Railway in 1930, designed by the company's chief engineer George Ellson . In 1899, the SER merged with the rival London Chatham and Dover Railway (LCDR) to form the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). As a consequence, all goods services along
5760-466: Was established as the civil parish : in Folkestone's case, because it held a Town Charter , and when the then Folkestone Borough Council was abolished, councillors elected to represent Folkestone's wards were designated as the Town's Charter Trustees , responsible for electing a Town Mayor. This role has since passed to Folkestone Town Council which is based at Folkestone Town Hall . Folkestone Town Council
5840-420: Was established in 2004, comprising the area of the former Borough of Folkestone less Folkestone Sandgate ward, which was separately parished. Folkestone Town Council comprises eight wards: Cheriton; Morehall; Park; Harvey West; Harvey Central; Harbour; East; and Foord. Each ward returns two or three members, for a total of 18 councillors elected to four-year terms. Each year, Folkestone Town Councillors attend
5920-562: Was formed on 1 January 1899, when the SER and LC&DR formed a "management committee" comprising the directors of both companies. This merged the two companies' operations, although they remained legally separate, with receipts split 59% to SER and 41% LC&DR until the Grouping, to avoid the costs and risks of a formal merger. On 5 August 1899 the South Eastern and London, Chatham and Dover Railways Act 1899 ( 62 & 63 Vict. c. clxviii)
6000-535: Was opened by the British Ambassador to France , Sir Edmund Monson on 12 July 1904. In 1911, some international goods services transferred from the Port of Queenborough to Folkestone Harbour. The station was frequently used during World War I , where soldiers would disembark for a ship to Flanders . Around 10 million military personnel and over a million tonnes of freight passed through the harbour. In December 1914,
6080-401: Was passed. The SE&CR began connecting the two networks and new services were introduced, reaping the benefits of joint working. A significant step was the construction of a junction in 1902-4 between the SER and LC&DR main lines where they crossed near Bickley and St Mary Cray, east of Bromley; the LC&DR's line via Maidstone to Ashford was connected to the SER station at Ashford; and
6160-544: Was quickly made a saint. Her remains were moved into the chancel of the current church on 12 September 1138, which has since been commemorated as the Feast of St Eanswythe. They became the focus of prayer and pilgrimage, so Eanswythe was quickly adopted as the town's patron. The religious community grew and developed into a monastery until it was dissolved by Henry VIII , and St Eanswythe's remains disappeared. They were rediscovered in June 1885 when workmen, carrying out alterations to
6240-455: Was replaced by another on a different site in 1856. This second station went through periods of temporary closure, particularly in wartime: from 29 November 1915 until 1 March 1919; from 4 September 1939 until 1945; from 13 to 20 March 1960; and between 1 January and 11 April 1992. A three-track-wide goods shed was added to the station in 1881. It was moved in 1899 and 1910, before closing in 1919. It continued to be used for rail purposes until it
6320-510: Was the largest independently-owned soft drinks manufacturer in Britain, based in Park Farm, but closed down in 2013. During the 1980s and 1990s the construction of the Channel Tunnel provided employment, as well as bringing many people to the area, and on completion the running of services still provides work for many. Several insurance firms are based in Folkestone. Some of them used to be involved in
6400-525: Was used to transfer passengers from specific trains; the line from the junction was very steep and needed much additional locomotive help. A local group, the Remembrance Line Association, is actively seeking to retain the harbour branch as a tourist/heritage railway operation, though as at 2019 the future was uncertain. Today the domestic services from Folkestone use the Central and West stations on
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