On Monday, the East of England welcomed the new East Anglia Rail Franchise. Albeit launched at Liverpool Street Station London, the new franchise was celebrated by franchisee Abellio Greater Anglia, the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce and Network Rail as well as Rail Minister, Paul Maynard MP. The start of this new nine year rail franchise marks a major first step in the transformation of Eastern rail to benefit both the local economy and passengers, something I am eager to see delivered.
For this announcement represents £1.4 billion of new investment into our rail infrastructure; helping to boost economic growth in the region and beyond, through a reduction in journey times across the whole franchise, by about 10%. This will provide the East of England with rail services to support and grow the regional economy. As a net contributor to the national economy, already returning an estimated £2.2 billion surplus this year, this is an exciting and welcome opportunity for the East.
Passengers too, can expect improvements with the single biggest fleet overhaul in franchising history; all new 1,043 spacious, electric and Wi-Fi connected vehicles by 2020. But improvements on current stock will start immediately so passengers can benefit from the new franchise from day one. There will also be a 13% increase in service, with 1,114 more weekday trains as well as 32,000 more seats in and out of London during peak hours. Importantly, there will also be an hourly service for the Ipswich to Peterborough line as well as improved punctuality and performance delivered through a robust timetable and investment in both infrastructure and personnel. Overall, it is forecast there will be a 63% increase in journey numbers by the end of the tenure. These and further measures to rail ticketing, automatic repay and customer feedback, will deliver twenty first century rail travel our regions passengers need, and deserve.
However, there are still opportunities to be gained from the next decade of rail, to drive forward further improvements. Co-ordinating the new franchise with Network Rail, there is scope to deliver station improvements like step free wheelchair access and improved parking. I know the Bury St Edmunds station in my own constituency, requires substantial repair to the historic fabric of the listed station building. With an annual footfall of 600,000 passengers a year, it certainly needs expanded car parking provisions, an aspect of our rail journey experience often overlooked. Yet, it is only right that the needs of all stations, meet the standards we expect of our rail services.
With a whole new fleet of trains rolling out in Suffolk in 2019 as well as journey’s from Ipswich to London in 60 minutes due to commence, I am looking at what more can be delivered, including a 70 minute service from Stowmarket in my constituency, to London.
This new franchise signals the direction of Eastern rail for the next decade. It is up to MPs, businesses, government and providers to raise the barriers and drive forward, for further improvements.
Published in the East Anglian Daily Times