Published on: Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Abellio Greater Anglia is to move the last train departure from Norwich to Sheringham on Fridays and Saturdays back from 22.45 to 23.05 from December - 5 months earlier than was expected to be possible. The train operator had originally proposed the move to the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership in response to local customer and community feedback. To enable the positive change to take place Network Rail has kindly agreed to adjust their essential overnight safety and operational maintenance arrangements. The infrastructure operator already only has a short window between 00.45 and 05.00 to undertake its track maintenance work and checks.
The timetable improvement will enable residents or visitors in North Norfolk to enjoy longer evenings out in Norwich and make it more practical to take the train to see some theatre and cinema performances. It also means that passengers can catch a later train back from London after a day out in the capital (the 21.00 service on Fridays, the 20.30 service on Saturdays).
The upgrade will be another boost for the line, which in October will see the start of all year round hourly Sunday services, as part of a series of Sunday service improvements being introduced on the Marks Tey - Sudbury, Norwich - Sheringham, Ipswich - Lowestoft, Norwich - Lowestoft and Norwich - London routes.
Commenting on the Friday and Saturday night service improvement Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs said:
“We're very pleased to able to provide a later last train departure to Sheringham on Fridays and Saturdays from December this year. We initiated the plans to deliver this improvement following local customer and community feedback, allied with support from the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership. Thanks to the assistance of Network Rail adjusting their maintenance schedules, not only are we able to make this positive change, but we are able to do so 5 months earlier than expected. It will enable residents and visitors to enjoy more options for nights out in Norwich, thereby also supporting the local economy and local businesses.”
Ted Gadsden Chairman of the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP) said:
"We are delighted that the last train from Norwich to Sheringham on Friday and Saturday nights will be moving to 23.05 (from 22.45). It is great news for passengers and communities along the line and will be another step forward after the extension of the hourly Sunday service to all year round operation from October. The Bittern Line continues to thrive and the combination of Abellio Greater Anglia, the CRP and the local community working together make a real impact on the quality of life for rural communities."