Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks is a town in Kent, in south-east England. It is the seat for the Sevenoaks local government district, and is today a commuter town, lying 25 miles from London. At Riverhead lies the source of the River Darent.

Communications

Roads

Sevenoaks is located at the junction of two ancient roads heading south from London and Dartford to the Weald.

Related Topics:
Dartford - Weald

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In 1710 part of one of the roads - from Sevenoaks through Tonbridge and Pembury to Tunbridge Wells- was the first in Kent to be turnpiked, and others followed within the century.

Related Topics:
1710 - Tonbridge - Pembury - Tunbridge Wells - Turnpiked

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The town is now by-passed by the A21 dual carriageway road, and is connected to the M25 London Orbital motorway at Junction 5.

Related Topics:
A21 - Dual carriageway - M25

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Railways

Railways were relatively late arriving at Sevenoaks. The previous main line of the South Eastern Railway (SER) had been through Redhill and it was in the nature of a "cutoff" to reduce the length of that journey that the line between Lewisham and Tonbridge was built. The line had huge construction difficulties, including two tunnels (it took three years to complete the final dozen miles): the Sevenoaks Tunnel is the longest in the south of England at almost two miles in length.

Related Topics:
South Eastern Railway - Redhill - Lewisham - Tonbridge

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The main station - Sevenoaks (formerly known as "Tub's Hill", after the adjacent area) - was opened on 2 March 1868. There is a second station, on the branch to Swanley Junction, serving the north end of the town, opened earlier (2 June 1862). It is named after the local inn - Bat & Ball.

Related Topics:
2 March - 1868 - Swanley Junction - 2 June - 1862

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Sevenoaks was the scene of a horrific railway accident on 24 August 1927, when a passenger train ran out of control down the bank from the north. Thirteen people were killed.

Related Topics:
24 August - 1927

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The line to Sevenoaks was electrified in 1935. It was the first station in Britain to be re-built with the later well-known British Rail red, white and blue colouring.

Related Topics:
1935 - British Rail

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Sevenoaks is part of the rail franchise which, post-privatisation, was served by Connex South Eastern. Subsequent to their 'sacking' in 2003 due to poor performance, services have been operated by South Eastern Trains (SET) - a wholly owned subsidiary of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) - until a new private operator is established early in 2006.

Related Topics:
Privatisation - Connex South Eastern - 2003 - South Eastern Trains - Strategic Rail Authority - 2006

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