Greater Anglia is introducing an extensive set of service improvements for customers and communities on its regional routes, and in the Stowmarket area, in its May timetable changes, which will apply from Sunday 17 May.
Highlights include:
Extra intercity service calls at Stowmarket on Mondays to Saturdays, giving a half hourly intercity service for most of the day
An extra morning peak Ipswich to Cambridge service and evening peak Cambridge to Ipswich service on Mondays to Fridays
An extra morning peak Norwich to Cambridge service and evening peak Cambridge to Norwich service on Mondays to Fridays
An extra evening service each way between Norwich and Ely on Mondays to Saturdays
More early morning services between Cambridge and Stansted Airport on Mondays to Fridays
An earlier first arrival in Lowestoft from East Suffolk line stations on Mondays to Fridays
A later last train from Lowestoft to Beccles and from Beccles to Lowestoft on Mondays to Saturdays
More stops for Westerfield on East Suffolk line Ipswich to Lowestoft services on Saturdays and Sundays
A later departure time for the last Norwich to Lowestoft service on Mondays to Saturdays
Additional morning and evening peak services between Norwich and Great Yarmouth on Mondays to Fridays
More services calling at Brundall, Cantley, Reedham, Haddiscoe and Somerleyton on a daily basis, giving them an hourly service
An extra late evening service each way between Norwich and Sheringham on Mondays to Saturdays
Extra morning and evening services each way between Norwich and Sheringham on Sundays
More services calling at Salhouse and Worstead on the Norwich to Sheringham line on a daily basis
As outlined above, the additional services benefit Stowmarket passengers, plus customers and communities on the Ipswich to Cambridge, Ipswich to Lowestoft, Norwich to Lowestoft, Norwich to Great Yarmouth, Norwich to Sheringham and Norwich to Cambridge routes.
The improvements reflect increasing passenger demand on Greater Anglia’s regional routes, partly driven by the service transformation delivered by the introduction of new trains over the past 6 years, which have resulted in a better travelling environment, more seats, improved punctuality and reliability (consistently amongst the best in the UK) and better accessibility (with low floors and retractable steps).
They also include a number of enhancements based on customer and stakeholder feedback, including input from local authorities, community rail partnerships, and rail user groups.
Jamie Burles, on behalf of Network Rail Anglia & Greater Anglia, said:
“We are pleased to be able to announce an extensive range of service improvements on our regional routes this May. We are always working to refine and improve services across our network in line with local feedback, aspirations, and emerging demand.
“The positive impact of the introduction of our new trains has seen passenger numbers rise across our regional routes. We’re glad to be able to add in extra trains across a number of our routes from May, making rail travel even more attractive and convenient.”
The changes have been developed through close collaboration between timetable, operational and infrastructure teams across both Network Rail Anglia and Greater Anglia, helping improve connections, regional connectivity and overall journey reliability for customers across East Anglia, as the organisations work together more closely as part of an integrated railway for the region.
Full details of all the timetables starting on Sunday 17 May will be available via the National Rail website and App and the Greater Anglia website and App.
