East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issues for 2013

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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 2013. 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
2013 [hide contents]
248	30/12/2013
	STATIONS [all issues] Councillors approve planning application for Cambridge Science Park station New platforms at Peterborough station open on 28th December but Railfuture disappointed by certain features RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Department for Transport quietly publishes "Tech Connect" document supporting need for Cambridge to Oxford rail link ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Upgraded Greater Anglia Class 321 "demonstrator" train runs in service for passengers to evaluate PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway wins Heritage Railway of the Year Award 2013 following excellent year in which extension to Hoe finally opened Sponsor a sleeper on the Mid-Norfolk Railway's northern extension to North Elmham and possibly win a driver experience
247	30/11/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Chancellor of the Exchequer recognises the railway's importance in East Anglia and wants services speeded up Ely West Curve bi-directional operation to be implemented after more than 20 years Oxford City Council decides not to pay a financial contribution towards East West Rail western section Cambridge City MP tells Transport Minister that East West Rail between Cambridge and Oxford is vital Linespeed restrictions south of Cambridge could be eased ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia Class 379 Electrostar EMU to run on battery power as well as 25 kV 50 Hz overhead for independently-powered EMU tests Bombardier Transportation wins contract to undertake enhancements and heavy maintenance to First Capital Connect's Class 365 trains STATIONS [all issues] Bishops Stortford now has 238 cycle spaces following addition of new secure cycle compound
246	31/10/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Councils approve their financial contribution towards East West Rail western section Industry leaders call for improvements on London-Stansted rail line to provide faster service Could the opening of HS2 free up capacity on the East Coast Mainline for services from Stansted and Cambridge? RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Call for Lowestoft-London through services to be reintroduced when new Greater [East] Anglia franchise begins DfT issues franchising notice for company to take over East Coast operator as a 'going concern' GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambridgeshire Guided Busway may have to be lifted and relaid in places as land movements cause uneven track Yet another car gets stuck on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway followed by a lorry taking the wrong route County Council to spend £20,000 reviewing why guided busway construction costs went so badly wrong Doubt remains about developer contribution towards guided busway construction WEBSITES [all issues] New website allows through journeys to mainland Europe to be booked as a single transaction
245	30/09/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Progress being made on half-hourly Cambridge-Norwich service according to MP championing the scheme Physical start made to Oxford-Bicester Evergreen 3 as a prelude to East West Rail reopening Railfuture publishes its analysis of possible Bedford-Cambridge routes for East West Rail Network Rail confirms that doubling of Ely-Soham route will go ahead even though EU-sponsored freight loops will be dropped STATIONS [all issues] Greater Anglia delivers on franchise commitment for all-inclusive bus-rail tickets from Saffron Walden Manea to receive s two-hourly service after years of campaigning More car parking spaces at Diss station to meet growing demand RAIL FARES [all issues] Cheaper train travel as First Capital Connect expands the scope of its super off-peak single and day return fare RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Will Wi-Fi become available on all trains free of charge in the future? GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Guided busway 'has not helped to cut A14 traffic' according to analysis by CAST.IRON PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] North Norfolk Railway has plans for more services and facilities
244	31/08/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Railfuture interviewed by ITV Anglia News about vital rail improvements as Transport Secretary visits region ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia Class 379 emu will have batteries fitted for independently-powered test running Government confirms size of order for new trains to be used by Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern train operator GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council and BAM Nuttall reach agreement before dispute goes to court WEBSITES [all issues] National Archives website has fascinating details about the history of Britain's railways PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Norfolk Orbital Railway claims a "breakthrough" as first parcel of land is purchased for reinstatement of railway
243	31/07/2013
	ROLLING STOCK [all issues] First Capital Connect announces £31m mid-life overhaul Class 365 trains STATIONS [all issues] Government funding will provide electric car charging points at 20 Greater Anglia stations Investment for new passing loop pays off as patronage grows by 12% in a year PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway board agrees to buy a shed for train maintenance Mid-Norfolk Railway used as rail head for Class 170 Turbostar to for repairs Mid-Norfolk Railway declares its July Steam Gala an "operational and financial triumph"
242	30/06/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Passenger trains start using the Hitchin flyover Legal deadline passes so 'Evergrree 3' London Marylebone to Oxford rail link construction can commence STATIONS [all issues] ESTA calls for improvements to stations on the Ipswich-Lowestoft East Suffolk Line GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Guided bus catches fire and forces closure of guided busway track Cambridge News laps up more negative stories associated with highly controversial guided busway
241	30/05/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council long-term strategy includes station reopenings and new rail links High Court dismisses 'Evergreen 3' legal challenge and grants Chiltern Railways powers to construct rail route Network Rail opens up the Hitchin Flyover to walkers prior to opening to raise money for charity STATIONS [all issues] East Suffolk line stations have ticket vending machines for the first time GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Two bus passengers hurt and sent to hospital after collision between car and bus on Cambridgeshire guided busway at Longstanton Final attempt to settle Cambridgeshire Guided Busway dispute between council and BAM Nuttall without going to court Luton-Dunstable guided bus project could repeat some of the same mistakes as the Cambridgeshire scheme PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway operates its first passenger trains north of Dereham station Mid-Norfolk Railway collects redundant Network Rail equipment following re-signalling of the Ely to Norwich route
240	30/04/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Local MP eager to see March-Wisbech line reopening holds meeting with Atkins and Cambs County Council transport officials March-Spalding line arches before A141 road could be demolished STATIONS [all issues] Huntingdon railway station to be refurbished ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Class 321 upgrade completed at Greater Anglia's depot in Clacton Greater Anglia London-Norwich loco-hauled Mark III carriages to be overhauled GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Guided busway was built to get traffic off the A14 - but that cars not articulated lorries! PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway hosts 'Operation Mardle' training exercise in Wymondham for the emergency services
239	29/03/2013
	RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Government extends First Capital Connect franchise until September 2014 when giant franchise will commence Passengers can look forward to improved services during lifetime of Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern super-franchise Government announces intention to extend Greater Anglia franchise to October 2016 subject to reaching agreement Government eager to sell-off East Coast operator to private sector in 2015 STATIONS [all issues] Notorious level crossing at Foxton could be bridged as Network Rail commissions study to look into options GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Stagecoach bus driver prosecuted for driving without due care and attention on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway WEBSITES [all issues] East Midlands Trains launches 'mobile friendly' version of its website
238	01/03/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] New £15m bridge at Kings Dyke, Whittlesey, could be open within three years Network Rail organises 'drop-in session' to allow residents near to the Ipswich Chord location to understand the project Preparatory work on East West route for London-Marylebone service takes place prior to outcome of 'Evergreen 3' judicial review Railfuture's online petition to reopen the Wisbech line for frequent services to Cambridge attracts substantial support ROAD BUILDING [all issues] Concept of Cambridge underground system for buses raised yet again RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] First Capital Connect unhappy with Which? report into passenger satisfaction Greater Anglia wins Train Operator of the Year award at the national Rail Business Awards GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Yet another driver gets their car wedged in the guided busway tracks Cyclists give up on flooded 'maintenance track' and ride on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway instead More money to be spent on Cambridgeshire Guided Busway 'maintenance track' to make it fit for purpose PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Norfolk Orbital Railway chiarman gives presentation to Railfuture about scheme link to North Norfolk Railway Opening ceremony after Nene Valley Railway bought Fletton Link for £40,000 from British Railways Board (Residuary)
237	31/01/2013
	RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Greater Anglia agrees to reinstate train connections at Maningtree for Harwich branch trains Eighty "excited" people attend "very positive" East West Rail presentation in Winslow STATIONS [all issues] Greater Anglia seeks views before launching its bus service between Saffron Walden and Audley End station ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Eversholt Rail awards £13 million contract to Railcare to overhaul FCC's Class 365 trains RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues] Railfuture attends First Capital Connect stakeholder meeting on 31st January DfT to extend First Capotial Connect contract by 28 weeks followed by a "direct award" if terms can be agreed GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Freedom of Information Act request reveals 50 "emergencies" occurred on Cambridgeshire Guided Busway in just six months Cambridgeshire council tax payers forking out £2m interest on £64m loans to cover construction of guided busway

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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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