East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issues for 2004

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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 2004. 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
2004 [hide contents]
145	31/12/2004
	RAIL MEETINGS [all issues] Forty people squeezed into Little St. Mary's Church Hall to hear Lord Berkeley of Rail Freight Group speak RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Preliminary survey work in progress for Stansted Airport rail enhancements New rival to Crossrail threatens to delay cross-London rail link for years RAIL FARES [all issues] Central Trains acknowledges disquiet over recent fare rises by introducing lower leisure fares New journey booking system introduced over Christmas holiday RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Chiltern shows way ahead for funding rail infrastructure enhancements Chiltern's plan for alternative London-Oxford route would help case for East West Rail Link RAIL CLOSURE THREATS [all issues] Railfuture concerned about proposals to 'fast track' station and line closures RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Great Northern franchise (combined with Thameslink) on track for April 2006 re-letting Final bids for ECML inter-city franchise have now been submitted ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Guided bus public inquiry ends on time with just site visits remaining RAIL SERVICES [all issues] ESTA welcomes improved Lowestoft-Ipswich/London services but has some concerns Railfuture East Anglia looks to promote use of Newmarket Station STATIONS [all issues] Two new retail outlets at Cambridge station sees move of travel information desk Platform at Braintree station extended for 12-coach trains ROAD SAFETY [all issues] Most of East Anglia's roads have above-average accident rates PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Budgen's option for North Norfolk Railway's station yard at Sheringham has lapsed and level crossing cost could be reduced NENTA train tours to operate from North Walsham station in 2005 rather than Dereham Colne Valley Railway is up for sale as owners retire Newspaper reports that Wisbech-March Bramley Line has secured lease on first mile of line from Network Rail WEBSITES [all issues] Three into one for 'one' as websites merged New website for the Marks Tey to Sudbury "Gainsborough" line New Northern Rail franchise launches its website New website for bus users as National Federation of Bus Users is re-branded Wensleydale Railway re-launches its website Website launched for Glasgow Airport Rail Link
144	25/11/2004
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Crossrail included in Queen's Speech RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Virgin/Stagecoach bid for ECML franchise may be turned down on competition grounds GNER bids for South Eastern Trains in partnership with Honk Kong train operator Jonathan Denby of 'one' give progress update to Cambridge University Railway Club ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Objector at Public Inquiry for Cambridgeshire Guided Busway claims County Council is "in contempt" Train operator has still not reached agreement with County Council and remains objector to guided busway Rail Freight Group reiterates its opposition to guided busway RAIL ROUTES [all issues] East West Rail Link delayed by yet another government request for a study Transport select committee hears evidence from 'one' on rural railways STATIONS [all issues] Disabled activist wins Court of Appeal battle against Central Trains for Thetford station travel Norwich station forecourt gets a thorough cleaning Customer information screens for Fen Line stations RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Depot at Creeting St Mary Felixstowe branch to be doubled for freight trains according to BBC Look East RAIL AWARDS [all issues] 'one' and CRPs receive accolades at the 'Connections 2004' in London RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Network Rail renews briudges in East Anglia and tackles leaf fall RAIL SAFETY [all issues] Level crossing near miss for Ely-Peterborough train PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway used by 'one' for driver leaf fall training Wisbech-March Bramley Line offered redundant signal box for eventual relocation WEBSITES [all issues] New website for UK's fifth freight operator New website for Fen Line Users Association Rail Safety and Standards Board provides website to advise on railway safety critical matters
143	25/10/2004
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Cambridge to Sudbury Rail Renewal Association plans talks with prospective partners RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Government announces that Central Trains franchise will disappear ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Public Inquiry for Cambridgeshire Guided Busway ploughs on Inspector shown revolutionary road-rail vehicle giving flexibility of bus but preserving railway RAIL FARES [all issues] SRA passes the buck to Central Trains for loss of Cheap Day Returns STATIONS [all issues] Waterbeach station car park extension finally starts after three-year wait Dedicated bus-rail interchange planned for Huntingdon Station to reduce congestion caused by buses RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Trains returns in time for Christmas mail Local authorities invited to see rail freight in action at Ely Rail Freight Group holds members meeting in Peterborough PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway northern extension now a quarter of the way to Hoe WEBSITES [all issues] Government transport statistics now available from Department for Transport website
142	11/10/2004
	RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Cambridge-Norwich service tops a million passengers in two years RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] SRA issues final specification for InterCity East Coast franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Public Inquiry opens for Cambridgeshire County Council's Guided Busway Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Inquiry cannot consider alternative route for busway RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Residents complain about cutting of tree-tops at Great Shelford Rail facilities to be "aligned" with Stansted expansion STATIONS [all issues] Peterborough station improvements hailed a success RAIL INVESTMENT [all issues] Manningtree Rail Users speaks at Conservative Party Conference PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway continues northern extension work almost reaching 12 mile post
141	23/09/2004
	RAIL TIMETABLES [all issues] Manningtree, Clacton and Walton-on-the-Naze users very concerned about December 2004 timetable RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express Group cleared to run the 'one' franchise New offices for 'one' franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Atkins Rail produces 74-page critique of CAST.IRON rail scheme for Cambridgeshire County Council Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Inquiry extended by three weeks Cambridgeshire County Council votes to spend £3m on guided busway even though scheme may be refused RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Bedford-Bletchley modernisation completion is major stage in East West Rail Link RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] New autumn timetable sees launch of 'one's improved delay compensation policy RAIL PROMOTIONS [all issues] Half a million pound marketing campaign by 'one' promotes leisure travel to London PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] North Norfolk Railway extends its line a little towards the level crossing
140	15/09/2004
	RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Ipswich tunnel reopens on time RAIL MEETINGS [all issues] Rail Passengers Committee holds meeting in Cambridge RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Stagecoach-Virgin re-enter race for ECML franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Richard Bowker confirms that SRA did not assess Cambridgeshire Guided Busway before offering support Hunts Post newspaper announces its alternative to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Guided busway supporter admits that buses will not be enough to tackle Cambridge congestion CAST.IRON launches more merchandise to help fund fight against the guided busway STATIONS [all issues] Beccles station area could become more welcoming RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Harwich branch to see through trains to London Televisions to be installed on trains Catering trolleys on Cambridge-Norwich service trains are withdrawn 'one' Anglia InterCity phase out Class 86s STATIONS [all issues] Derby Road station gets new footbridge Ware station gets enlarged car park RAIL PROMOTIONS [all issues] Central Trains aims to get people back on trains for first time in years RAIL ROUTES [all issues] East Suffolk line Community Rail Partnership formed PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway accredited as "Quality Assured Visitor Attraction" WEBSITES [all issues] Southminster branch has website Bluebell Railway website shows how quickly a railway line can be relaid
139	03/08/2004
	RAIL REVIEW [all issues] Alistair Darling's rail review should put rail back on track but "bustitution" looms RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Statistics revealed by 'one' at Railfuture branch meeting Virgin drops out of bid for East Coast franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] London Eastern Railway and Central Railways object to guided busway works around Cambridge Station Cambridgeshire Guided Busway public inquiry to look at the whole "project" not just the busway "scheme" STATIONS [all issues] Cambridge station is highly-commended in National Rail Awards RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Bittern Line success wins Norfolk County Council recognition at the National Transport Awards RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Late-night WAGN service will continue to stop at Foxton, Shepreth and Meldreth until December 2005 Late-night Bittern Line services also continue after 12-month experimental service 'one' Anglia InterCity services become non-smoking RAIL FARES [all issues] GNER uses fares demand and revenue management computer system to maximise revenue from each train Penalty fares set to increase RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Barrington cement works freight line may close RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Bramley line group moves forward in plan to take over the Wisbech-March line PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway completes re-sleepering on northern extension up to Swanton Road WEBSITES [all issues] ESTA goes on-line Campaign to save Histon station relaunches website New website to find transport options for any journey
138	02/07/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Former GB Railways shareholders fail to earn from Northern Franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridgeshire Guided Busway statements of case from applicant and CAST.IRON submitted Cambridgeshire Guided Busway scheme had more objectors than almost any other TWA application Cambridgeshire County Council continues its claim that rail reopening cannot happen CAST.IRON not concerned by failure of Grand Central to obtain track access agreement STATIONS [all issues] List of busiest East Anglian stations announced Redevelopment of area around Cambridge Station commences with small scheme RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Network Rail commence travelling exhibition to explain about Ipswich tunnel closure Manningtree Rail Users Association call for improvements to Great Eastern Main Line Two level crossings on March-Wisbech line lifted and tarmaced over RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] WAGN and Network Rail announce that punctuality and reliability is improving Trains more punctual than aeroplanes RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] GB Railfreight still in discussions with Royal Mail RAIL SAFETY [all issues] Rail is nine times safer than road according to Rail Safety Standards Body PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway again employs Avondale Environmental Services to spray weedkiller on line
137	29/05/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Office of Fair Trading refers GAf winner to Competition Commission Summer timetable sees consolidation of many tickets into 'one' ST.IVES LINE [all issues] CAST.IRON learns that Cambridgeshire County Council acted to prevent vegetation clearance on St.Ives line STATIONS [all issues] Downham Market Station car park opened by local MP Cambridge Labour councillors fail to get Addenbrooke's Hospital station reinstated in Local Plan RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Wisbech-March Bramley line feasibility study completed RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] March Whitemoor Yard opening day a "great success" RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues] Car driver convicted of dangerous driving for trying to jump lights at level crossing PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Kimberly Park station on Mid-Norfolk Railway officially opened - but not yet open for regular passengers
136	19/05/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express admits that 'one' causes confusion in station announcements SRA announce four pre-qualifying bids for ECML InterCity franchise National Express takeover sees first deterioration in service ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Liberal Democrats in Hunts call for referendum on the guided bus proposals Cambridge City Council assumes guided bus is done deal when revising local transport plan CAST.IRON organises trip for members to visit Wensleydale Railway Save Our Station campaign sets up online donations facility to help save Histon Station STATIONS [all issues] Improvements at St.Neots Walton-on-the-Naze station upgrade completed Judge rules that taxi is not required substitute for lack of disabled facilities at Thetford station Station car parks refurbished at two of 'one's stations RAIL ROUTES [all issues] CSRRA/CCDC rail feasibility study says reopening Cambridge-Haverhill is feasible RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] IKEA commences distribution of freight by rail in East Anglia ROAD BUILDING [all issues] Road building costs know no bounds PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway's new Kimberly Station official opening on 22nd May WEBSITES [all issues] Bedfordshire Railway Transport Association revamps website and hopes to turn St John's site into working museum
135	01/05/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express commences Greater Anglia franchise - branded as 'one' ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Objections to the Guided Busway total 2729 CAST.IRON produces analysis of guided busway showing massive amount of public subsidy required Save Our Station campaign set-up to prevent Histon Station being demolished STATIONS [all issues] Felixstowe Beach 'derelict' station demolished on Easter Sunday Cambridge City Council decides not to retain land for Addenbrooke's Station Planning application submitted for additional public car parking spaces at Ely station RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Network Rail opens depot at Whitemoor, March RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues] Network Rail announces budget for maintenance and renewals in East Anglia RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Rail Passengers Committee wins a late-night train to serve south Cambridgeshire villages Train times during Ipswich tunnel block announced WAGN takes over networkers from South Eastern Trains RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] Harwich-Hook of Holland 2 for 1 offer Massive savings on steam trips through 'one' LIGHT RAIL [all issues] Light Railway scheme proposed for Great Yarmouth PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway gets ready for reopening of Kimberley Park station WEBSITES [all issues] Wisbech-March Bramley Line group launches website
134	24/05/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express announces management line-up for Greater Anglia franchise Office of Fair Trading consults stakeholders on National Express takeover of franchise National Express is second TOC to challenge GNER ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Guided busway objectors criticise scheme for impact on nature reserve near Swavesey Could Laing Rail Projects Ltd's interest in Luton-Dunstable be replicated in Cambridge-St.Ives? CAST.IRON continues publicity drive to encourage objections to guided busway application St.Ives Town council unanimously votes to object to the guided busway plan STATIONS [all issues] Upgraded and enlarged car parks at Fen Line stations Cost of Chesterton Interchange station continues to rise Second "unwanted and unnecessary" refreshment outlet at Huntingdon abandoned permission RAIL SERVICES [all issues] No more Central Trains to Great Yarmouth RAIL COMPANIES [all issues] National Express announce turnover and profit for 2003 GB Railways management takes over First Group PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] North Norfolk Railway promotes share purchasing for Operation Phoenix WEBSITES [all issues] Christian Wolmar has his own website Rail consultancy specialising in rail revenue has new website
133	06/03/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express make further announcements about Greater Anglia franchise EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] East West Rail consortium produce glossy new leaflet ST.IVES LINE [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council submits guided busway application triggering objection period Rail versus busway debate live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire CAST.IRON mount publicity drive to encourage objections to guided busway application RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] GB Railfreight is preferred bidder to run Network Rail's Whitemoor depot RAIL AWARDS [all issues] Outgoing Anglia Railways wins Train Operator of the Year Award again WEBSITES [all issues] WayToGo website calls for a government transport policy that puts the environment first MerseyRail has new website to promote services and improvements to the railway New website for Nottingham Express Transit giving tram times
132	14/02/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Timetable changes becomes clearer following award of Greater [East] Anglia franchise First senior management position for Greater [East] Anglia franchise is announced SRA signs two-year extension to Great Northern franchise STATIONS [all issues] Decision on reserving land for railway station at Addenbrooke's Hospital is deferred Ely station development claimed to improve car parking provision ST.IVES LINE [all issues] County Council votes to submit TWA Order application to government for guided busway CAST.IRON reveals funding gap for the guided bus RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Translink guided busway scheme killed stone dead - by its promoters! Peterborough to be included in the Stansted-Cambridge expansion zone RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Wisbech-March Bramley Line Club looks to run trains on Wisbech branch Felixstowe town council calls for improved rail service to reduce lorry movements RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] Terminating trains at Birmingham has helped punctuality of Stansted trains WAGN and Network Rail promise improvement to performance in new leaflet RAIL BARGAINS [all issues] WAGN offer two-for-1 fail travel on whole route in newspaper promotion PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway again provides train service for Hardingham Fete WEBSITES [all issues] GNER sets up website for business travellers who wish to access company computer on the train Rail Safety and Standards RSSB has wealth of information on their website ROLL - Reopen Lea Valley Line campaign group has a website
131	04/02/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] National Express signs contract with SRA for Greater [East] Anglia franchise SRA invites bids for East Coast franchise RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Central Trains installs motion-detecting CCTV cameras to monitor carriage sidings ST.IVES LINE [all issues] County Council's cabinet decides to put guided bus to the vote RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Problems with Trowse swing bridge might land Network Rail in deep water Hope for Beccles loop dashed by SRA owing to lack of funds RAIL AWARDS [all issues] Anglia Railways' public relations team wins award following successful Norwich-Cambridge service launch TRAVEL RESEARCH [all issues] Travel to work information issued by Office of National Statistics PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway completes Dereham station roof renovation and announces mid-week services WEBSITES [all issues] Advenza Freight Ltd's about-to-launch 'Freightbus' service has details on its website East London Line Project website allows you to register for progress information
130	23/01/2004
	ROLLING STOCK [all issues] First Great Eastern encounters technical problems with new Desiros RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] London Eastern Railway company awarded licence for Greater [East] Anglia franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] County Council keeps tight-lipped in preparation for guided busway submission. RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Bittern line passengers up 20% helped by new late night services Hull Trains submits track access agreement amendments to Office of Rail Regulator STATIONS [all issues] Ipswich is Anglia Railways' best staffed station according to its own judges EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] East-West rail plan turns to ODPM for cash RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Cambridge-Sudbury reopening conflicts with other schemes warn councillors Luton-Dunstable Translink guided busway funding from government look less than generous RAILWAY MUSEUMS AND HISTORY [all issues] Harwich railway history museum receives £9,000 grant
129	16/01/2004
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] No details yet about National Express bid for Greater [East] Anglia franchise ST.IVES LINE [all issues] CAST.IRON continues with publicity drive and meeting the public and businesses CAST.IRON gets in-principle approval to professionally clear vegetation from a stretch of railway line RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Freight records broken at Felixstowe RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Guided busway TWA submitted for mothballed Luton-Dunstable line Cambridge-Sudbury Rail Renewal Association commences public consultation STATIONS [all issues] Cambridge station now has secure parking for cycles EAST WEST RAIL LINK [all issues] Milton Keynes growth plans help justify East West Rail Link INTEGRATED TRANSPORT [all issues] Anglia Railways launches 'AngliAtoBus Services' leaflet to show options for combining bus and train journeys RAIL PATRONAGE [all issues] As well as National Rail, Eurostar also sees passenger growth PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Anglia Railway conducts further low-adhesion traning on Mid-Norfolk Railway WEBSITES [all issues] Grand Central Railway's website reveals plans SRA's first in-house franchise launches website

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Snippets news list last updated on 17th September 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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