East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issues for 2020

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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 2020. 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
2020 [hide contents]
333	31/12/2020
	STATIONS [all issues] Combined Authority funds redevelopment of March station following public consultation Near-empty car park at Cambridge North station put to festive use RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Network Rail granted powers to close or modify the following nine level crossings in Suffolk RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Greater Anglia finally has ability to wash its Class 755 bi-mode trains properly ROLLING STOCK [all issues] GTR's electrostar trains to be fitted with ETCS for use on East Coast Mainline and potentially other routes
332	30/11/2020
	RAIL SERVICES [all issues] Changes to rail services whilst half of King's Cross station platforms closed in 2021 RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Network Rail improves track and electrification between Alresford and Great Bentley in preparation for resignalling East West Railway Company begins second phase of rolling stock procurement and launches new environmental surveys Network Rail given permission to close Cambridgeshire level crossings five years after submitting application COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] Greater Anglia and GTR trains test negative for COVID-19 Government behind schedule on agreeing ERMA 'break' terms with train operating companies STATIONS [all issues] Marks Tey among several Greater Anglia stations to receive improved cycle parking facilities Many Greater Anglia stations awarded "Safe and Secure" status Major construction work around Cambrdge North station limits access for cyclists and bus users CAMBRIDGESHIRE AUTONOMOUS METRO [all issues] Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro mission strategy wins backing of Combined Authority's transport committee Combined Authority issues Invitation to Tender for Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro conceptual design Combined Authority sets up 'One CAM Limited' company to deliver Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Double-deck bus trapped under bridge as bus driver forgets that southern route only allows single-deck buses
331	31/10/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] Statistics show dramatic fall in passenger numbers during initial COVID-19 lockdown Greater Anglia cuts early evening inter-city on-board catering to abide by government 22:00 hospitality closure rules STATIONS [all issues] Network Rail launches second and final public consultation on Cambridge South station proposals Proposals for aparthotel and multi-storey car park at Cambridge station rejected by council planners ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia modifies Class 720 train order from Bombardier swapping 10-car trains to pairs of five-car units RAIL ROUTES [all issues] East West Railway Company sets up a Community Hub as a prelude to its public consultations in 2021
330	30/09/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Public engagement opens for Ely Area Capacity Enhancements rail scheme Dates announced for East Coast Mainline enhancement work at King's Cross and for Werrington 'dive under' Remaining track and signalling infrastructure completed on King's Lynn eight-car project over August Bank Holiday East West Rail Company looks for support contracts and a partner for DCO application to build Bedford-Cambridge railway Track, crossing decks and platform surfacing renewals on the East Suffolk line STATIONS [all issues] Network Rail prepares to launch its second and final public consultation on Cambridge South station proposals Platform 4 at Cambridge station to be extended by 40 metres for new Greater Anglia commuter trains RAIL SERVICES [all issues] CrossCountry resumes services to Manea and Whittlesea stations Norwich to Liverpool service to continue as an end-to-end service beyond December 2021 RAIL CARDS [all issues] Govia Thameslink Railway enhances its 'Key' smartcard to support railcard discounts ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Govia Thameslink Railway starts five-year modernisation of its Electrostar fleet DECARBONISATION [all issues] Network Rail publishes interim Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy with proposals to electrify East Anglia routes CAMBRIDGESHIRE AUTONOMOUS METRO [all issues] Lord Robert Mair CBE appointed chair of the delivery company for the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway receives second Pacer train
329	31/08/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] RSSB modelling shows that passengers very unlikely to catch COVID19 on board a train RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Network Rail launches public consultation on Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Modern signalling to be introduced on Clacton branch East West Rail Consortium appoints Steer to develop a business case for enhancing rail connectivity on Eastern Section STATIONS [all issues] Greater Anglia switches to PayByPhone for cashless car parking Volunteers work with Greater Anglia to turn Salhouse rail station into wildlife haven
328	31/07/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] Government ends advice not to use public transport Heritage railways continue to be hurt by pandemic RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Work starts on new road and bridge over railway at King's Dyke level crossing near to Whittlesea Network Rail undertakes track renewals across several East Anglia routes Final approval given by Combined Authority for the March-Wisbech rail reopening business case Consultants appointed to develop business case for eastern section of the East West Rail Link Railway bridges at risk of being bashed to be fitted with CCTV to enable quicker inspection STATIONS [all issues] Government funds improved cycle facilities at East Anglian stations Defibrillators to be installed at several Essex stations ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia's Class 745 trains carry first passengers to Stansted Airport RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Greater Anglia upgrades its Clacton rail depot for specialist servicing of its Class 755 bi-mode trains GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] Cambridgeshire County Council aims to reclaim £80m repair bill for the guided busway
327	30/06/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] Government asks franchised train operators to reinstate a full timetable from July 2020 Signage displayed at stations to encourage social distancing Greater Anglia station ticket offices reopen as lockdown restrictions lifted Heritage railways reopen but with restrictions to ensure social distancing RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Additional axle counters on Ipswich-Lowestoft line help reduce level crossing barrier downtime Network Rail schedules series of trackworks across East Anglia during 2020 STATIONS [all issues] Planning application approval for Soham station should see services start in 2022 New shop and upgraded toilet facilities planned for Ipswich railway station Network Rail announces Cambridge South station preferred location Work starts on new heritage area adjacent to Lowestoft Station PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Mid-Norfolk Railway acquires former Greater Anglia London-Norwich inter-city carriages
326	31/05/2020
	COVID-19 PANDEMIC [all issues] Greater Anglia buys 'fogging guns' to keep trains and stations safe from COVID19 STATIONS [all issues] Planning application submitted to build Soham station Breckland Council approves Greater Anglia request to demolish disused Brandon station building Construction of expanded car park at Saxmundham progresses RAIL ROUTES [all issues] First major sign of East West Rail reopening progress as Bletchley viaduct rebuild commences
325	31/04/2020
	ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia upgrades Wi-Fi speeds on its Class 755 bi-mode trains STATIONS [all issues] Fenland District Council consults on options to improve facilities at March station Greater Anglia temporarily closes ticket offices because of COVID-19 RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] Railfreight operators and Felixstowe Port call on government to upgrade East Angila's railway for 47 trains a day
324	31/03/2020
	STATIONS [all issues] New information screens continue to be rolled out at Greater Anglia stations More than 220 additional car parking spaces now available at Manningtree railway station ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia first Class 720 Aventra test train reaches Liverpool Street but not carrying passengers yet RAIL DEPOTS [all issues] Norwich Victoria sidings reopened to enable Greater Anglia to stable its larger train fleet RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] Greater Anglia's managing director pledges to make more trains run on time Quartz software tool enables Greater Anglia's to reduce train delays by identifying on station dwell times RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Latest report on reopening Wisbech railway line for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Ely capacity upgrade could cost £600m East West Railway Company invites bids for short-term rolling stock contract PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues] Heritage railways close to the public during COVID-19 outbreak Ministry of Defence train visits Dereham to deliver personnel carriers for Swanton Morley
323	29/02/2020
	STATIONS [all issues] Government announces list of stations to receive Access for All funding Saxmundham station car park gets upgrade and expansion Greater Anglia reveals how rebuild of Sheringham station platform was achieved with lower carbon emissions Usage of Greater Anglia's water fountains at main stations has been very popular with travellers RAIL ROUTES [all issues] Transport and Works Act Order granted or East West Rail western section phase 2 Wherry lines re-signalling completed and in use - at long last RAIL PUNCTUALITY [all issues] Impressive performance figures on Bittern Line after dreadful month caused by signalling problems COMMUNITY RAILWAYS AND PARTNERSHIPS [all issues] Hereward Line Community Rail Partnership achieves new national accreditation RAIL FREIGHT [all issues] GB Railfreight invests £3 for Peterborough offices
322	31/01/2020
	ROLLING STOCK [all issues] Greater Anglia's first Stadler Class 745 Intercity train runs in passenger service between Norwich and London Greater Anglia rolls out Stadler Class 755 trains onto final routes Greater Anglia Bombardier Class 720 trains commence safety and performance tests in East Anglia STATIONS [all issues] Greater Anglia submits bids for funding to help improve access at Needham Market and Bury St Edmunds stations GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues] A14 upgrade closes busy cycle route and part of Cambridgeshire Guided Busway for a month

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Snippets news list last updated on 17th September 2025.

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