High fares could outweigh the benefits of high speeds – and put the growth of Ashford and the regeneration of Folkestone at risk, the county council has warned.

KCC is concerned that people will not move from London to east Kent if they have to pay too much to commute into the capital.

Next Tuesday KCC’s transport board will discuss the introduction of the high speed trains and the changes to existing services.

Train operator Southeastern’s new timetable is due to start on December 13 though it has been suggested that high speed trains could be on track sooner.

Passengers have already raised concerns that tickets for high speed trains could cost up to 30 per cent more.

The county council is worried that these increases along with yearly price rises – which for travellers from Ashford and Folkestone jumped by more than 9 per cent this year – will negate the savings in terms of time.

The report being presented to transport board members says: “The county council will press for lower introductory fares to ensure passengers do take advantage of these services.”

There will be eight extra trains a day at peak times (between 7am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm) between Ashford and London by the end of the year and five more between Folkestone and London.

Six of the peak time trains from Ashford and five from Folkestone will be high speed to St Pancras.

Commuters using the existing “slow” line will see a reduction in services to Cannon Street, the most convenient station for the City, but will find additional trains into Charing Cross.

There will be an extra three trains at peak times from Pluckley into London and one more from Charing – but there will be one less from Chilham.

The number of trains from Wye remains unchanged as the reduction of one train into Cannon Street is counteracted by an additional one into Charing Cross.

In total, Kent will get additional services at 47 stations. There will be decreases at 14.

Passengers who are prepared to pay more and want to arrive into St Pancras will be able to get from Ashford to London in just 37 minutes (down from 1hr 24 mins), from Folkestone Central in 52 minutes (down from 1hr 41mins) and from Folkestone West in 49 minutes (down from 1hr 39mins).