Greater Anglia works with George Freeman MP to build the case for future investment

Published on: Thursday, 14 February 2013
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Passengers surveyed at Wymondham to help justify on-going upgrades to popular and thriving service

Abellio train operator Greater Anglia is working with mid-Norfolk MP George Freeman to help build the case for future upgrades on the Norwich to Cambridge rail line.

Head of Corporate Affairs Jonathan Denby will join the MP at Wymondham at 13.45 on Friday 15 February to hand out surveys to passengers to which are expected to provide further evidence in support of improvements which will help support the local economy. This thriving service, which was launched in September 2002 with new high quality trains, has been a great success, with passenger numbers more than doubling in a decade and trains increased from two to three carriages. So now is a good time to be gathering additional feedback which will assist the compilation of a business case justifying the investment needed for upgrades in infrastructure which could then enable potential increases in service frequency. Such enhancements could also underpin economic growth along this key corridor.

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said:

"We are pleased to be working with local MP George Freeman to gather more local support and evidence in favour of further upgrades for the Norwich - Cambridge route in the future. The service is already a great success with passenger numbers increasing from over 350,000 in its first year of operation to over 940,000 a year by the time of its 10th anniversary in September 2012 and modern, comfortable trains providing a regular, hourly service. However, we are keen to work with stakeholders to help build the case for additional investment and improvements for this important regional economic corridor. Although some aspirations might only be possible in the medium term, now is the time to be demonstrating the benefits that would result from more service enhancements and the local support for on-going upgrades. At Greater Anglia we will continue to do all we can to improve services during the current short franchise and work with partners to try and secure the investment to enable an even better service for the future."

George Freeman MP said:

“The Norwich to Cambridge railway line is a key East-West line with the potential to unlock major new business investment and job growth in Norfolk, and support the vitality of market towns like Attleborough and Wymondham. Fast rail links, modern trains, and refurbished stations can play a key part in linking rural Norfolk to the Cambridge and Norwich innovation clusters, and create the conditions for Norfolk to become a hub of new businesses."