News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 390 - 30/09/2025
- GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues]
- Freedom of Information answer reveals 100 cars have been driven onto the Cambridgeshire Guided busway in five years
- More safety fencing to be installed along Cambridgeshire Guided Busway to protect the public from being hit by buses
- Public inquiry into the proposed Cambridge to Cambourne guided busway made a procedural error when it opened
Railfuture was one of several orgsnisations that sent a representative to the Norfolk Rail Group Meeting on 29th September 2025. There were presentations by Norfolk County Council about their rail projects, which included New Rail Stations Feasibility Study, and one from Greater Anglia.
An article in the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) reported that a new exhibition organised by the Friends of Westerfield Station will showcase the history of Westerfield railway station as part of the modern railway's 200th anniversary celebrations. It will be held in the garden room of The Railway Inn, next to the station, and will run from 10:00 to 16:30 on Saturday 6th September and Sunday 7th September 2025. Ipswich Transport Museum provided help and access to their archives. Westerfield station sits on the East Suffolk Lines between Ipswich and Lowestoft and is at the junction to the Felixstowe branch line.
On Sunday 5th September 2025, Essex Live revealed that Beaulieu Park station, north of Chelmsford, is due to open on Sunday 26th October 2025. It was not stated whether this date was leaked or speculative, as officially it had not been announced, but the timetable showed the first services on that date. The date has since been confirmed, and there will be an official opening ceremony on Monday 27th October, for invited guests only — Railfuture will be sending one representative. Beaulieu Park will be the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line for more than a century. The new railway station has been built ahead of schedule, hence the opening date had been brought forward to autumn 2025. More than 4,000 homes will be built as part of the Garden Community near the station site — of this, 2,000 homes have already been built. In the coming years another 6,250 homes will be built in the area.
On Sunday 5th October 2025 at 10:00 the 'Politics East' regional programme on BBC One will be a 'Rail Special' which is about the transfer on 12th October of Greater Anglia to the public sector.
The government announced on 29th September 2025 that Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will be nationalised on Sunday 31st May 2026. GTR has said that it has already started planning for this transition, so it is well equipped to work closely with the DfT over the next eight months. Like the other TOCs being take over, train services, timetables and station facilities are unaffected with no changes to travel cards and ticketing terms and conditions. Employees' roles are also unaffected, as they will all transfer across into the publicly owned company. GTR operates four brands (Great Northern, Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express) and took over from First Capatal Connect (FCC) in 2014 (absorbing Southern in 2015). The GTR transition means by the middle of next year, eight in 10 passenger rail journeys that the Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for will be operated by state-owned TOCs. See official government statement about future transfers to the public sector.
For the second year running, Greater Anglia (GA) has won the Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards 2025. It had won the award three times (2022, 2024, 2025) and been runner-up in 2023. In the same month, GA has been named as the best train operator in Britain, based on train performance using data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) between August 2024 and August 2025. The comparative analysis looked punctuality, percentage of cancelled trains, and average passenger delays to create a performance score out of 100. GA was the most reliable, with 84pc of its trains arriving on time. It also achieved a performance satisfaction score of 97pc. See article.
As well as best train oeprator, in a study commissioned by Uswitch which was published on 9th October 2025 (see article), Greater Anglia ranked top of 11 train operators in Britain for onboard connectivity to identify which ones are the best for working on the go. The study examined everything from WiFi quality to the availability of plug sockets, punctuality, passenger satisfaction, complaints, rolling stock quality, crowding and cleanliness. However, as it used feedback from the train operators, ORR Passenger Rail Performance data, rail user surveys and more, it is not surprising that Greater Anglia also ranked top in this. Results from a short survey of 500 train passengers in Britain, which was conducted in September 2025, found that 86% of train users work at least 'sometimes' on their commute, while 33% stated they worked 'very regularly' and a further 14% said that they do so 'every workday'.
On Friday 19th September at the Transport East conference in Newmarket, Railfuture was represented by Ian Couzens (chair) and Peter Wakefield (vice chair). The usual representatives of other organisations were present. The purpose of the meeting was to make the case for the eastern section of East West Rail. A publication (dated July 2025) entitled "Making the case for investment in the eastern section of East West Rail" was launched. It was covered in an East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) article in which it focused on the call by 'Suffolk leaders' for the for extension to East West rail scheme. It qupted Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, saying: "Suffolk contributes £21 billion to the economy, is home to the UK's largest container port at Felixstowe, new energy projects such as Sizewell C and an internationally renowned equine centre in Newmarket — the county is central to national growth ambitions." Alexander Nicoll, chair of the East West Rail eastern section board, said: "We have a real opportunity now, while work is progressing on bringing East West Rail to Cambridge, to make the rail infrastructure improvements needed to maximise the value of government's committed investment." Read the 36-page Transport East document at https://www.transporteast.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/East-West-Rail-Eastern-Section.pdf.
Artwork has been added to separate panels on a platform wall at Walton-on-the-Naze station as part of Railway 200. The work was funded and facilitated by the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and installed by Greater Anglia's Asset Management team.
Network Rail has announced that it will be performing engineering work from October to mid-November 2025. This will include extensive track renewals between Ely North junction and Chettisham with 1,500 metres of new track, ballast and sleepers, as well as replacing three sets of points. There will also be new rail near Waterbeach, track tamping at Ely station and general maintenance of the rail equipment. New signalling, as part of the C3R project, will also be installed. Details are still being finalised for the festive period between Saturday 27th December to Sunday 4th January 2026, but there will be no trains between Royston and Cambridge North. This is to allow Network Rail (NR) to complete major heavy infrastructure and signalling works to facilitate the opening of the new station at Cambridge South in early 2026. NR has also announced that additional overnight engineering work will again be taking place on the Fen line from Monday 29th September to Thursday 2nd October, after approximately 23:00 with buses replacing trains between Cambridge and Ely, and a shuttle train service operating between Ely and King's Lynn. Following the driest spring in 50 years and prolonged dry spells this summer, the Fen Line is still being affected by the shrinkage of peat soil, which has caused the track to drop in places and become uneven. NR will lift the track and push ballast underneath to create a solid and level foundation so that trains can run smoothly.
LNER and GTR have been promoting the timetable changes on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from 14th December 2025, which they say will bring improvements. The new timetable is the culmination of several enhancements to the ECML over a decade and follows delayed and aborted attempts for significant changes to train services. LNER will have faster journeys between Peterborough and Edinburgh, whilst GTR provides "better connectivity, more space during the busy peak periods, faster journeys for key destinations", such as the London to King's Lynn journey being seven minutes faster. The timetanle provdes a few additional peak-time services between Cambridge, Letchworth Garden City and London King's Cross. There will also be some more evenly spaced departure times so that passengers don't need to wait as long for a train. It will be a "timetable ready for more improvements in future — such as calls at the new Cambridge South station when it opens [in January 2025]". It was formally confirmed in early September that every passenger train that passes Cambridge South will stop there, including those run by Cross Country, where it had been incorrectly stated publicly that they would not do so. See Rail Business Daily article.
Two highly-experienced transport figures have been appointed to support the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority's (CPCA) ambition for better connectivity and Mayor Paul Bristow's priority 'to get the region moving', according to an announcement on its website (see here). Peter Cushing has been named Light Rail Commissioner, and Leon Daniels OBE has been appointed as independent chair of the review into bus franchising implementation. Peter will advise the Mayor on all aspects of assessing, planning, and potentially delivering a light rail network for Greater Cambridge.
According to an East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) article on 11th September 2025, Saxmundham Town Council has raised "strong concerns" about trains idling overnight at the station en route to delivering building materials for the new Sziewell C nuclear power station. The complaint is the lack of noise mitigation from the diesel locomotives that wait near Saxmundham station disturbing residents' sleep with a councillor expressig concern that this practive could continue for 12 years, whilst Sizewell C is built. The location is one of few dual track sections on the line where trains can be held without blocking the railway. According to a Sizewell C spokesperson, switching off the locomotive's engine causes "delays and inefficiencies" when restarting it, but "Once the upgrade of the Leiston branch line track and signalling system is completed, the requirement of holding freight trains for Sizewell C at Saxmundham will be removed."
According to an article in the Norwich Evening News, timber floors beneath Norwich station are rotten beyond repair, which was identified when Greater Anglia (GA) found a hidden basement. It has plans to repair extensive damp in a staff-only area of the station, where the ticket office is. The proposal is to replace the existing rotten timber with new treated timber to meet current standards and sympathetic to the age and design of the building, as well as improvements to provide better thermal insulation and ventilation to the area. In August 2025, Norwich City Council approved a major overhaul of the station's leaky roof as damp problems there were worsening.
Downham Market's first Heritage Open Day created 'wonderful sense of community spirit' according to the Lynn News. Read the article. On Sunday 21st September, throughout the day, private homes and historic buildings welcomed hundreds of curious guests, eager to explore hidden corners of the town's heritage. The event was organised by Discover Downham in collaboration with the town council. The Fen Line Users Association (FLUA) took part, meeting the public at the railway station.
The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) hopes that the recent Grad3 II listing of its stations at Sheringham and Weybourne by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (on the advice of Historic England) will bring a tourism boost with an increase in the number of visitors who travel on the five-and-a-half-mile heritage railway every year — the current figure is around 150,000 per year. Volunteers and staff that have cared for the structures since the line closed in 1964. Other listed station buildings in Norfolk are Brandon, Thetford and Wymondham.
The Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham in Norfolk has announced its planned activities for this the 2025 festive season. The Festive Express steam train runs from 6th to 24th December with a visit to Santa's grotto and personalised gifts for the children. On 5th, 11th, 12th and 18th December, the Noël Night Train, where twinkling lights provide a background to festive music and seasonal refreshments. Lastly, the Mince Pie Special offers a relaxing journey and a warm mince pie from the Whistlestop Café. Details can be read here.
An article in the Sun on 10th September 2025, said that the station building at Corpusty (on the former railway route between Melton Constable and Yarmouth Beach, a line that was part of the Great Eastern Railway network in Norfolk) is to be renovated and reopened with plans to host events and exhibitions related to local history and memorabilia. It is also hoped to engage younger generations, with activities including workshops, guided tours and educational programmes.There is even a proposal to add a vintage carriage to the station to provide dining. The station, which as a 100-metre long platform in Norfolk, has been closed since 1969. There was an open day on 20th September 2025, between 14:00 and 16:00 to allow locals to learn more about the station and view the ongoing restoration works.
The East Suffolk Lines (ESL) Community Rail Partnership (CRP) will be showing the Titfield Thunderbolt file at the Riverside theatre in Woodbridge, in October, and there will be a reduced rail fare for anyone travelling by train along the ESL, plus the first 20 people showing their rail ticket will get a Railway 200 pin badge. The cinema ticket can be also bought in advance from the Riverside website by clicking here. Details of the CRP's screening can be seen on the CRP page on the Greater Anglia website.
The next meeting of the East Suffolk Travel Association (ESTA) will be on Saturday 11th October 2025 from 14:00 at the Fromus Centre, Street Farm Road in Saxmundham. They have guest speakers from East Suffolk Council and Transport Focus.
On Monday 13th October 2025 from 19:30-20:45, the Cambridge Museum of Technology (Cheddars Lane, Cambridge CB5 8LD) will have a guest speaker, Bob Gwynn, who will "explore the birth of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and identify what makes it a development worth celebrating, as well as acknowledging how received history has been distorted over the years. Bob will talk not just about the past, but also the present and give pointers to the future which is a bright one for rail despite the gloom surrounding projects like HS2 and the recurring belief amongst some commentators that everything will be alright if we all drive electric cars." Entry is £5 at the door.
On 12th September 2025 AstraZeneca announced that it had 'paused' a £200m plan to expand its facilities in Cambridge amongst other expansion plans in the UK becuase of the political situation (globally and within the UK). This is unlikely to have much of an impact on patronage at Cambridge South station.
An article in the Cambridge Independent on 22nd October 2025 reported that the demolition of six small buildings on Cambridge Science Park and creation of four larger, taller and denser new ones has been approved by councillors, conditional upon the developers must resolve concerns over sewage capacity to proceed. The relevance to the railwway is that the Science Park — which has around 11,000 people working there with long-term plans for it to reach 25,000 — is a 120-minute walk to Cambridge North station, and therefore packing in more people should see evne greater patronage at the station.
GUIDED BUSWAY
Freedom of Information answer reveals 100 cars have been driven onto the Cambridgeshire Guided busway in five years
Following the submission of a Freedom of Investigation (FOI) request by the Cambridge News (CambridgeshireLive) it was revealed that there have been 111 incidents where cars have been driven onto the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB) in the five years (Janauary 2020 to July 2025) listed below:
- 2020 = 10
- 2021 = 17
- 2022 = 31 (at least one incident reported every month)
- 2023 = 33 (at least one incident reported every month)
- 2024 = 14
- 2025 = 6 (January to July)
The news article refers specifically to cars being "trapped". If that is the case, then the above only list would exclude cases where vehicles drove onto the guided busway route but either stopped short of falling into the specially-designed trap, or managed to get out of it, without the authorities being aware and recording the fact.
The guided busway opened on 7th August 2011, which is more than 14 years ago. Presumably local drivers would know about the busway so one assumes that those trapped were not local and perhaps relying upon a satnav. Regardless, it reflects badly on the county council for not making signage clearer — perhaps even more bright red makings at the entrance, with the words "STOP". Railways by comparison, have very few incidents where road vehicles drive onto them, but then a railway looks very different to a road.
News: www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/more-100-cars-trapped-cambridgeshire-32440278.
More safety fencing to be installed along Cambridgeshire Guided Busway to protect the public from being hit by buses
Cambridgeshire County Council has announced that work to install fencing on the remaining 3km unfenced section of the southern section of the busway is due to start in early October 2025. One lane of the busway will be closed along with the path while contractors installed the fence in phases. The fending — which the council steadfastly refused to install when the busway was constructed saying at the public inquiry that it was completely unnecesary because the busway was safe — follows three deaths on the guided busway and fine of £6m for those deaths. The council says that design works for fencing on the northern section and options to help with the flooding were in progress but detailed ecological and design considerations are required.
News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr65ppgdgno.amp.
Public inquiry into the proposed Cambridge to Cambourne guided busway made a procedural error when it opened
The public inquiry for the proposed Greater Cambridge Partnersghip (GCP) two-way 13.6km Cambridge to Cambourne guided busway began, as planned, on Tuesday 16th September 2025, but it was immediately announced that a procedurual error had occurred as public notices had not been published, as required under in "one or more places where public notices are usually posted." The inquiry which has two inspectors (Geoff Underwood and Richard Clegg), was scheduled due to sit each week from Tuesday to Friday until Friday 21st November, although it will not meet during the weeks of 6th-10th October and 27th-31st October.
According to the Cambridge Independent, a request was made for the Secretary of State to waive the need to postpone the inquiry, rather than wait for the notices to be published so that the public can attend, but received a response that "The Secretary of State has no option but to advise the appointed inspector to postpone the public inquiry...until advertising requirements have been met." A decision was made to go ahead with site visits. A live stream can be watched via the ofifcial website for the public inquiry at https://gateleyhamer-pi.com/en-gb/c-to-c/.
The proposed busway is expected to cost at least £200 million and has faced huge opposition from campaigners for the off-road route it is due to take through the West Fields at Coton, which will mean cutting down hundreds of mature trees at Coton Orchard. This scheme is separate from the CSET busway proposal that Railfuture is opposed to.
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 390 - 30/09/2025
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Railfuture is a non-profit making pro-rail campaiging organisation, which is run entirely by unpaid volunteeers, including production of Rail News Snippets for the East Anglian branch of Railfuture.
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