Train campaign gaining momentum

Passengers want more frequent services on the line

A campaign to improve train services in north Suffolk is gaining momentum.

Waveney MP Bob Blizzard has been in talks with the county's largest train operator, National Express East Anglia, to campaign for loop track at Beccles.

This would enable an hourly service to run on the single track line along the Waveney valley from Lowestoft.

National Express said they were willing to run the loop trains but funding was critical to the scheme's success and Network Rail had not budgeted for it.

Mr Blizzard is hoping to enlist the help of councils in Suffolk, the East of England Development Agency and other organisations to raise the finance.

People in north Suffolk can currently only get a train to Ipswich once every two hours because there is nowhere for trains to pass.

Mr Blizzard said after a meeting with the train operator he was very hopeful the loop will soon be constructed.

However, the East Suffolk Travellers Association said they had received a letter from National Express saying funding was still critical and other organisations will need to help foot the bill.

It is still hoped that work could begin in four years time when signalling is replaced on the line.