New railway stations are proposed

The demolition of Beach Station was condemned as "vandalism"

Proposals to build three new railway stations in Suffolk and reopen two more go before councillors on Thursday.

Suffolk County Council, as part of its public transport strategy, is looking at reopening stations at Leiston and Felixstowe Beach.

The old Victorian Felixstowe Beach station was bulldozed in 2004 despite protests from local councillors.

The county is also interested in opening new stations at Great Cornard, Moreton Hall and Claydon.

The Claydon station would be paid for by the developers of the Snoasis winter sports centre at Great Blakenham if it is given planning permission.

The council hopes to develop an hourly service between Ipswich and Leiston via Saxmundham.

Station demolished

The public transport strategy, which goes before the county's cabinet committee on Thursday, also wants improvements to the East/West mainline service to Cambridge and Peterborough and backs co-operation with improving lines linking Norfolk and Suffolk.

It also calls for greater bus/rail co-ordination and a more improved and flexible ticketing system.

Peter Lawrence, president of the pressure group Rail Future, said the plans for the north of the county look most promising.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) decided to demolish Felixstowe Beach station because it said the building was not needed, dilapidated and potentially dangerous.

East Suffolk Travellers' Association joined campaigners who called on the SRA to scrap its demolition plans.

Felixstowe Town councillor Michael Ninnmey, who opposed the demolition, said there was local and national historical interest in leaving it standing.

"It is corporate vandalism," he said at the time.