East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issues for 2003

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The East Anglia branch of Railfuture has been producing news 'snippets' since 1999. The aim is to produce concise easy-to-read information, often extracted from long-winded press releases, without the spin.

The following is a list of the news 'Snippets' produced by the East Anglia branch of Railfuture for 2003. They are listed in descending date order. Click on an issue to read the news.

Click [ALL] to see a list of all issues.

390	-	Date TBC	-	Issue 390 in progress - read content produced so far
2003 [hide contents]
128	22/12/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express awarded the Greater [East] Anglia franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Government awards significant level of conditional funding for guided busway RAIL ROUTES [all issues] East West Rail Link still threatened by rowing lake Network Rail holds stakeholder meeting to explain Ipswich tunnel closure RAIL PATRONAGE [all issues] ATOC predicts 1,000 million passengers in 2003 RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Central Trains moves forward in delivery of quality service to passengers WEBSITES [all issues] Grand Central Railway's website reveals plans
127	11/12/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) completes public meetings and reveals full scheme Guided busway decision delayed yet again Reports about line being severed from network points are premature INTEGRATED TRANSPORT [all issues] Anglia and First Eastern counties collaborate to improve bus-rail integration RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Cambridge-Sudbury Rail Renewal Association's new company has first meeting STATIONS [all issues] Anglia Railway's plans to improve stations in partnership with First Great Eastern and local authorities RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] GNER tempts more travellers and announces improved profits RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Alconbury Road/Rail Freight facility approved by Office of the Deputy Prime Minister GB Railfreight wins ASDA contract for shipments between Felixstowe and Daventry Potential for return of rail freight to Wisbech RAIL AWARDS [all issues] Anglia Railways is runner up in National Passenger Operator 2003 award RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Network Rail starts Whitemoor Yard rejuvenation at March WEBSITES [all issues] Wensleydale Railway's new website finally available New website launched to promote GNER and Chiltern's joint bid for Greater Western franchise
126	30/10/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) commences series of public meetings Cambridgeshire County Council pro-busway presentation in Huntingdon greeted with scepticism Times article about light rail schemes being abandoned including one in Cambridge RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia's Cambridge to Norwich service gets huge proportion of drivers out of their cars Stansted rail service patronage continues to improve RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Wisbech and March Railway Trust plans to present its proposals to the public East West Rail link - yet more rubbish St.Ives branch NOT yet disconnected from network ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Anglia Railways to replace more Class 86s with newer Class 90 locomotives on mainline services RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Network Rail issues tender for March Whitemoor Yard reopening after approval Cambridgeshire County Council RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] GB Railfreight launch weekday service between Felixstowe and West Midlands RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues] Yet another level crossing fatality RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] Railfuture welcomes Network Rail's decision to take maintenance in-house from external rail companies RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Greater Anglia franchise bidders all make shortlist for ScotRail franchise PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Membership number 1 at Mid-Norfolk Railway becomes available WEBSITES [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway website updated to include detailed route maps New Pro-Rail website for Cambridge launched
125	10/10/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA signs two-year franchise extension with Central Trains ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) grows membership partly thanks to newspaper coverage STATIONS [all issues] Broadland District Council looks to developer to fund new north Norwich station Plans for first stage in Cambridge station area redevelopment go on show Return of litter bins at five Anglia Railways' stations RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] March Whitemoor Yard reopening set to be approved by Cambridgeshire County Council POLITICAL PARTIES [all issues] Transport issues ignored at political party conferences RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues] Cyclist dies on level crossing between Waterbeach and Ely Network Rail takes in-house day-to-day maintenance of ECML and other routes from Jarvis PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Nene Valley Railway helps to teach children about their local environment WEBSITES [all issues] East London Line Project now has official website London 'OverGround' rail network also has official website
124	01/10/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) gains more publicity Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation meets Cambs County Council to exchange views Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation wins over Cambridge member of parliament Guided buses may cause congestion in Huntingdon according to councillors RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia Railways celebrates Norwich-Cambridge service reaching half a million passengers Anglia Railways late night Bittern line services reaches 5,000th passenger since May STATIONS [all issues] SRA announces upgrades to stations Three Anglia Railways stations gain 'secure station' status ROAD BUILDING [all issues] Cambridge Futures 2 devises tunnels through and around Cambridge to serve buses and cars - nothing for rail RAIL DISRUPTION [all issues] First and GB Railways launch joint care team to manage major incidents and reduce disruption ROLLING STOCK [all issues] FGE's new Class 360 EMUs run non-stop between Ipswich and Liverpool Street RAIL ROUTES [all issues] New group founded to run weekend tourist trains on the March-Wisbech line RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] Fewer than required 90% of GB Railways PLC shareholders accept First Group offer RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Government minister breaks ranks to criticise Royal Mail for axing mail trains TRANSPORT COSTS [all issues] Rail travel is usually much cheaper than by car when full costs of car ownership are taken into account PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Study to see if North Norfolk Railway extensions can be done for reduced cost WEBSITES [all issues] Duffield-Wirksworth railway line has website to promote its use by infrastructure companies
123	17/09/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) wins first major victory Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation's publicity drive CAST.IRON seeks alliances with various organisations Railfuture questions Cambridgeshire County Council's optimistic estimates of guided bus usage RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express host presentation for Greater [East] Anglia franchise at Norwich Football club SRA starts negotiations for extending Great Northern franchise RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia's highly successful Norwich-Cambridge service reaches half a million passengers PROMOTING RAIL TRAVEL [all issues] Central Trains to rebrand their East Anglian services to encourage greater patronage Association of Community Rail Partnerships promotes scenic train journeys in East Anglia RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues] New Transport Minister Kim Howells says common sense approach needed regarding rail accidents RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Federation of North Essex Rail User Groups calls for upgrade to fifty-year old electrification on Great Eastern mainline Possible freight acitivity at Ipswich goods yard? ROLLING STOCK [all issues] First Great Eastern's new Class 360 EMUs running in passenger service RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Cambridge-Sudbury Rail Renewal Association forms company to enable line reopening OPINION RESEARCH [all issues] Government fails to give leadership on transport according to survey RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] ASDA remains positive about rail freight Network Rail reaches agreement with HMP Whitemoor after it objected to NR "virtual quarry" proposals at March CHARTER TRAINS [all issues] More rail tours are expected to visit the Mid-Norfolk Railway in 2004 RAIL SAFETY [all issues] WAGN driver suspended after speeding incident
122	14/08/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation (CAST.IRON) becomes fully constituted organisation Railfuture involved in advising St.Ives Town Council on busway matters Cambridge Evening News covers busway in two-page spread that shows lack of public support Hunts District Council cabinet votes to support guided busway plans - despite much anti-busway feeling RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express host presentation for Greater [East] Anglia franchise at Norwich Football club RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] First Group takeover of GB Railways is now 'unconditional' PROMOTING RAIL TRAVEL [all issues] Central Trains' Travelling Trevor takes Peterborough by storm RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues] Car driver who caused Anglia derailment at Six Mile Bottom charged with endangering lives of passengers ROAD LOBBY [all issues] Private Eye highlights gross pro-road distortions by biased media CHARTER TRAINS [all issues] Several rail tours planned for East Anglia WEBSITES [all issues] Anglia Railways renames its "Breathers" holiday service to "Short Breaks" and launches new website
121	29/07/2003
	ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Proposal to use the Cambridge to St.Ives line...for running trains! Railfuture involved in advising St.Ives Town Council on busway matters Cambridge Labour Constituency Party to face anti-busway motion RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] GB Railways bid for Greater [East] Anglia franchise gains support following First Group takeover AIR TRAVEL [all issues] SRA responds to Government Airport Strategy for South Eastern England
120	16/07/2003
	RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] First Group gets back in race for Greater [East] Anglia bid by buying GB Railways PLC GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambs County Council guideed busway public consultations are well attended RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Extensions on the cards for National Express' Central and GN franchises EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] Alistair Darling offers olive branch to East West Rail supporters when announcing massive road schemes PROMOTING RAIL TRAVEL [all issues] GNER get into trouble for misleading scenic pictures in adverts RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Dates announced for eight-week long closure of Ipswich Tunnel to support containers from Felixstowe PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway makes progress on northern extension with level crossing work Plans to rebuild Southwold to Halesworth railway line deferred by council WEBSITES [all issues] Rail unions launch joint "Save Mail on Rail" campaign website Makeover for Strategic Rail Authority's website Crossrail revamps its website in marketing exercise - and gets single yellow light too! BBC featured opening of the private (community) Wensleydale Railway
119	02/07/2003
	GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambs County Council launches three-week public consultation on their "Rapid Transit" proposals "Rapid Transit" costs keep going up and up RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] First Great Eastern gains legal right to see SRA documents revealing why it filed to qualify RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] Quarterly performance figures for train operators announced by the SRA TOC subsidy levels show that East Anglia railways pay their way STATIONS [all issues] Hunts Post newspaper fails to find out why Huntingdon station toilets have still not reopened RAIL CUSTOMER SERVICE [all issues] GB Railways and Anglia senior management go "back to the floor" to provide customer service RAIL FARES [all issues] SRA announces results of fares review - above inflation fare rises likely RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] GB Railways PLC preliminary full-year results show healthy revival in fortunes RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Royal Mail by rail SRA's capacity utilisation study intends additional freight paths in East Anglia ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Anglia Railways unveils first of their refurbished Class 153 trains ROAD SAFETY [all issues] Department for Transport release 2002 road casualty figures
118	12/06/2003
	RAIL CLOSURE THREATS [all issues] Scaremongering tabloids suggest Beeching Mark II is on its way RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Greater Anglia timetable sees cuts in services according to local newspapers Railfuture members urged to write opposing possible "bustitution" in Greater Anglia area STATIONS [all issues] Work finally commences on Waterbeach station car park Anglia Railways to stage "Adopt-a-Station" gathering at Norwich station RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] First Great Eastern offer free travel from any FGE station to Adventure Island TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] South Cambridgeshire MP finds that his constituents use rail, value it and want better services ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Anglia Railways Mark 2 and 3 mainline trains receive new air conditioning RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Local NIMBY opposition to plans for freight depot near Stowmarket GB Railfreight director speaks at Railfuture East Anglia branch meeting WEBSITES [all issues] Bedfordshire Railway and Transport Association launch new website Carsharing on National Liftshare Day made easy on Liftshare website London location website "vicinitee.com" has webcams at London terminals showing departure boards
117	05/06/2003
	EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] East West Rail Link is "dead in the water" - only a West-West rail link - according to Bedford newspaper RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia Railways offers new integrated transport service - train then boat! Central Trains DMU swap with ScotRail set to be completed by late summer Did you know how much faster train services are compared to buses? STATIONS [all issues] Two privately funded railway stations planned for west London First Great Eastern stations are repainted in corporate colours that will soon become obsolete Bury St Edmunds station sees long-awaited improvements to passenger lifts Temporary platform at Shelford station considered unsafe by passengers Room available to hire at Cambridge station GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] LibDems move from tacit support to opposition for guided busway in Luton-Dunstable corridor TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] Cambridge City starts consultations on local plan just as Cambs County finishes its one RAILFUTURE NATIONAL AGM [all issues] A long way to travel to Cardiff from East Anglia for this year's AGM WEBSITES [all issues] WAGN and EWS revamp their websites
116	22/05/2003
	RAIL SERVICES [all issues] RPC calls for better early morning and late night rail links from Cambridge STATIONS [all issues] Berney Arms station now has waiting shelter and soon to have help point WAGN hopes to improve car parking facilities at St Neots station Cambs County council bids for £90m of government money for transport improvements including Chesterton Interchange station Kempston Hardwick station amongst least used in the country RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Track safety called into question along Cambridge-Liverpool Street line on anniversary of Potters Bar accident RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Stansted Airport boss insists that new rail links are essential if new runways are built RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] Popping into Peterborough by train promoted by WAGN Network Gold Card free weekend travel offers PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway runs first weed-killer vehicle to North Elmham
115	12/05/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Passenger poll backs First Great Eastern's attempts to be reinstated in Greater Anglia franchise bids RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Wherry and Bittern line passenger figures continue to grow TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council LTP exhibitions take place throughout the county RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Whitemoor Yard development has tough environmental obstacles to overcome RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Haverhill Town Council contributes towards funding of Cambridge-Haverhill-Sudbury reopening study HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINES [all issues] South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) backs high speed trains between London and the north RAIL NEWS OUTSIDE EAST ANGLIA BRANCH AREA [all issues] Double-tracking approved for London-to-Penzance line in Cornwall First new station of 2003 opens in May - on former freight-only route East London Line extension approved as high court judge rejects protestors case Wensleydale Railway obtains licence from Rail Regulator
114	01/05/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA issues Greater Anglia Franchise Consultation document for stakeholders STATIONS [all issues] SRA asks Cambridgeshire County Council to identify ways of funding Chesterton Interchange Station RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] GB Railways proposes new rail freight depot and warehouse near Stowmarket Network Rail reinstate the points at Potters Bar Bittern line tracklaying proceeds TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council launch consultation on new Local Transport Plan RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] SRA allows GNER to abandon improved compensation for late trains RAIL PROMOTIONS [all issues] Anglia Railways launches competition to visit as many stations in one day using Anglia Plus ticket Ipswich's Evening Star newspaper promotes special Northumbrian train to North East Central Trains to launch Commuter Club RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] Central Trains offer return journeys for £10 to under 25s and over 50s PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Bury Valley holiday passenger figures nearly rival those of the Bittern Line WEBSITES [all issues] Norfolk County Council launches new passenger transport website
113	16/04/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA issues invitations to tender for the Greater [East] Anglia franchise First Group continues to win support for its attempt to pre-qualify for the Greater [East] Anglia franchise STATIONS [all issues] Station building at Trimley threatened with demolition RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Network Rail stage "Bringing the railways back to March" exhibition for Whitemoor Yard proposals RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia Railways enhances Bittern line services without RPP funding ROAD BUILDING [all issues] A14 road widening authorised by government Skyrocketing road costs acceptable but cost increases for rail are not GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council presses on with guided busway plan RAIL PROMOTIONS [all issues] London 2-for-1-Plus advertised on local radio RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] Central Trains offer cheap trains to BBC Good Homes Show in Birmingham - pity about lack of fast route from East Anglia RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] EWS sale rumoured to be imminent PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Filming takes place at Nene Valley Railway
112	04/04/2003
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Bidding process for the Greater [East] Anglia franchise The SRA's shock announcement The loser's reaction The SRA's defence The user group's reaction What's next? RAIL SERVICES [all issues] First Great Eastern criticise SRA performance figures Anglia Plus tickets now valid on WAGN trains ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Anglia Railways commences refurbishment of single-carriage Class 153 Sprinters RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] GB Railways announces successful trading for three of its businesses RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] EWS runs weekly train between Snailwell and Sheerness EWS appoints new manager for East Anglia PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway now owns route from Wymondham to County School
111	28/03/2003
	RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Latest SRA performance figures show little change Branch area largely unaffected by RMT industrial action TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] Newmarket residents asked to comment on transport issues STATIONS [all issues] New station proposed for Great Eastern mainline Central Trains' small improvements at Thetford station RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA rewriting timetable for Greater [East] Anglia franchise to suit Network Rail RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Central Rail expected to be given government approval in near future RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] National Express announced disappointing financial results in early March Anglia Railways wins award for customer services at National Rail Innovation Awards AIR TRAVEL [all issues] Government suggests that aircraft should pay higher price for environmental costs RAIL IN THE MEDIA [all issues] BBC Look East broadcasts item on 40th anniversary of Beeching Report WEBSITES [all issues] Network Rail replaces Railtrack's old national rail timetable website with new system Central Trains relaunched website includes many new features
110	05/03/2003
	RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Anglia Railways announce 20% increase in passengers on Cambridge-Norwich service RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] Travel anywhere on Virgin trains for just £15 STATIONS [all issues] New station for Great Cornard proposed on 'Gainsborough' line Anglia Railways launches 'Adopt-a-Station' scheme RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA envisages announcing preferred bidder(s) for Greater [East] Anglia franchise by end of 2003 RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] EWS launches new Felixstowe-Wakefield service LOCAL TRANSPORT PLANS [all issues] Peterborough Friends of the Earth calls for walkway from Peterborough station and creation of Crescent Link POLITICAL PARTIES [all issues] Conservative Party's transport policy document "The Right Track" available on website WEBSITES [all issues] Plus Bus rail add-on ticket concept has new website Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line reopening proposal has new website Ra'alloy website promotes their aluminium ramps and stands for railway stations
109	24/02/2003
	TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues] Comments on St Edmundsbury Borough Council's plans for Bury St Edmunds station area required by 7th March Huntingdon and Godmanchester draft transport plan currently on public display EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] Freight use could be saviour for East West Rail Link phase 1 Transport 2000 calls for reopening of Great Barford bypass inquiry to consider railway line beside road ST.IVES LINE [all issues] "OakingStanton" super-village backed by inspectors plus support for second new settlement at Waterbeach TRAVEL RESEARCH [all issues] Everyone has a car, don't they? WEBSITES [all issues] Transport Design International website features variety of modern rolling stock used around the world
108	13/02/2003
	RAIL OVERCROWDING [all issues] WAGN plans fare reductions on Cambridge-Liverpool Street route to cut overcrowding on King's Cross route STATIONS [all issues] Chesterton Interchange station plan for Cambridge promoted once again Proposals for redeveloping area around Cambridge Station approved by council ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Threat of super-sized bendy buses dismissed MULTI-MODAL STUDIES [all issues] London to South Midlands study proposes East West Rail Link through St.Neots ROAD USER ACCIDENTS AFFECTING RAILWAYS [all issues] Lorry driver successfully prosecuted Another road vehicle on East Suffolk Line level crossing hit by train RAIL AWARDS [all issues] Anglia Railways wins its fourth Charter Mark award for customer service COMMUNITY RAILWAYS AND PARTNERSHIPS [all issues] Community Rail Partnership created for East Suffolk railway line RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] GB Railways PLC holds stakeholder presentation at Ipswich Football Club to promote franchise bid RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Part of March-Wisbech line may have future as link to new maintenance depot PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] MoD trains may go to Worthing crossing on Mid-Norfolk Railway line extension WEBSITES [all issues] New website promoting Parry People Movers
107	31/01/2003
	STATIONS [all issues] MP joins campaign to reopen Soham Station Waterbeach station car park flooded again RAIL NEWS OUTSIDE EAST ANGLIA BRANCH AREA [all issues] Rail regulator steps in to stop sale of rail land for supermarket in East Grinstead RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Adverse weather conditions paralyse the roads, but for once rail keeps going Bid for improved Cambridge-Ipswich services (and other enhancements) deferred East West Rail Link "dead in the water" RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Anglia Railways completes TPWS installation MULTI-MODAL STUDIES [all issues] London to Ipswich Multi-Modal Study (LOIS) final report suggests new rail projects RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Greater [East] Anglia franchise delayed until March 2003 RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] GB Railways PLC diversifies into car park builder Design Triangle of Burwell works on £75 million rail project for Ireland's railways RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Sudbury to Marks Tey "Gainsborough Line" hailed as major success PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway awarded even more funding WEBSITES [all issues] Website encourages you to cut your car use and explains the true cost of owning a car

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Snippets news list last updated on 17th September 2025.

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