Rail Vision worth £3.7bn

Improvements to the Great Eastern Main Line could generate £3.7bn in benefits to businesses and commuters in the East of England, transport experts at the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) have concluded in a report published the 28th May.   

“The Economic Case for Investment on the Great Eastern Mainline” was commissioned from transport consultants Atkins by the East of England Development Agency and partners including Shaping Norfolk’s Future, Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council.

The study concluded that achieving the partners vision for the line could deliver £3.4bn of conventional transport related benefits and £280m of wider economic benefits across the East of England.

The Norwich in 90 vision includes faster journey times, greater capacity, new Inter-City style rolling stock, improvements to stations, longer franchises and better facilities such as wi-fi.

The report is the latest milestone in the Norwich in 90 campaign, which is being coordinated by Shaping Norfolk’s Future and partners including Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council, EEDA, Regional Cities East and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

And it follows a report by influential watchdog Passenger Focus which rated passenger satisfaction on the line amongst the lowest in the country.

Passenger Focus is calling for significant improvements as part of the new Greater Anglia franchise which is due to be re-let later this year.

Chris Starkie, chief executive of Shaping Norfolk’s Future, said: “We are grateful for EEDA for funding this important piece of work. The independent study shows there are significant benefits in upgrading the Norwich to London line. Cities and towns along the line have had to put up with a sub-standard rail service for too long.”