That is good news.
The 60 and 90 minute drive time profiles are shown below (planning enquiry grade data) containing > 1.1M and >4.1M "usually resident population" based on 2003 census data. The 1 hour drive time includes Canterbury, Maidstone, Hastings & Ashford.
From December 13th fast train services offer 38 minute journey Ashford - St Pancras.