North Kent could become a transport hub if plans to extend Crossrail to the area go ahead as the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), who are behind the cross-London link, look again at the future eastern extension of the line.

Gravesend is being considered as the outer terminus with Dartford a stop on the way but not Ebbsfleet and there will also be a direct link to Heathrow airport. Even if it gets the green light, work is unlikely to start before 2017 when the initial project is due for completion.

The possibility of extending Crossrail to Gravesend was first touted in February 2005 when the Government issued a safeguarding direction for the North Kent railway line through Gravesham as far as Hoo Junction. This meant no new developments could be built in those areas that could prevent the option in future. However it did not progress because the Crossrail Bill had entered Parliament. Then all attention was focused on getting the original scheme off the ground from Maidenhead in the west to Abbey Wood in the east.

But now the Bill has been passed, the DfT is looking again at the safeguarding and considering Gravesend station as a future outer eastern terminus.