High Speed services also link between Maidstone West, Snodland, Strood and London St Pancras International (peak only).

The extension was built by the railway contractor Edward Betts, who lived locally at Preston Hall and through whose estate the line partially passed.

[3] The line served many rail connected industries, Aveling and Porter just south of Strood, cement works in the Cuxton, Halling and Snodland areas, a newsprint at New Hythe, Lafarge between Aylesford and Maidstone Barracks, Lockmeadow sidings at Maidstone West, Tovil goods depot and sand pits at Beltring The line is double track throughout, apart from a short single-track section on approach to Paddock Wood station, with a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).

The level crossing at Yalding has the only signal on the Southeastern network to display a flashing white light as the proceed aspect.

The rest of the line from Paddock Wood to Maidstone West was electrified under Stage 2 of Kent Coast electrification by BR's 1955 Modernisation Plan, opening to traffic on 18 June 1962.

[4] On 18 March 2011, Southeastern announced the start of a new high-speed service from Maidstone to St Pancras International via Strood on a trial basis.

Services in the opposite direction to the main flow do not call at Snodland and instead run non-stop from Maidstone West to Strood.