A railway station for Long Stratton
Railfuture is calling for a new rail station on the Great Eastern mainline, close to the growing town of Long Stratton. The case for a station is set out in a new report.
As the UK seeks to decarbonise its economy over the next 30 years, Railfuture sees a growing role for rail in helping to deliver this objective. Rail is both quick and an environmentally friendly way of moving people around.
Long distance rail links from Norwich are set for improvement, both with Norwich in 90 and East West Rail. However improved local rail services could play a much more significant role in the transport needs of the Greater Norwich area.
Peter Wakefield, Vice-Chair of Railfuture East Anglia commented:
"At 20 miles, the distance between Norwich and Diss stations is the longest interval between any two stations in the entire East of England. Not only does this mean that many South Norfolk residents have long road journeys before they can even access a station, but there is currently no prospect of developing local rail services in the Norwich area along the Great Eastern mainline/A140 corridor."
Ian Couzens, Railfuture's Norwich area representative added:
"With nearly 2,000 new homes planned, Long Stratton will grow to a town of around 10,000 people. A rail journey to Norwich from a new station located nearby would take as little as 10 minutes and would offer a serious alternative to the increasingly congested A140".
The new station could operate without revenue subsidy. Rail stations of similar scale have been provided elsewhere in the country within recent years, and there is no reason why one cannot be provided here.
Notes to editors:
Railfuture is the UKs leading independent organisation campaigning for better rail services for
passengers and freight.
Railfuture East Anglia have released a new report Long Stratton a new station for South Norfolk?
The report can be downloaded from www.railfuture.org.uk/East+Anglia+Stations
For further information please contact:
Ian Couzens, Railfuture East Anglia: Norwich area representative
01603 665768/ 07816 870314
ian at iancouzens.co.uk