Engineering jobs open up in Kent

03/11/2008

Around 160 jobs have been created now that new high speed trains will be based at two different Kent-based locations, it has been claimed.

Southeastern says that having some trains stored and maintained in Ashford and others in Ramsgate will see numerous employment opportunities arise.

Speaking about the newly upgraded Ramsgate depot, Nigel Jarret, who works for the company told the BBC: "It's been 18 months in the construction. It's cost somewhere in the region of £35 million.

"There's about 160 jobs that have been secured by this new facility. It's quite an impressive building. The shed alone has 8,000 square metres and five roads as we call them that trains can be brought in on for maintenance."

According to Mr Jarret, one of the jobs will involve maintaining the old fleet of trains which will still be used even when the new ones come into operation.

From next year, the modern trains will transport passengers from London's St Pancras International station to Ashford in just over half an hour.

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