Greater Anglia (GA) has announced the formation of a new Community Rail Partnership (CRP) for the Ipswich to Cambridge rail route. The aim of the CRP is to help develop and promote rail services along this key regional rail corridor, helping to align the evolution of services in line with local needs.
There are already a number of successful CRPs across the Greater Anglia network (the Bittern Line CRP, East Suffolk Lines CRP, Essex and South Suffolk CRP, Hereward CRP, New River Line CRP, and Wherry Lines CRP), which have all helped raise the profile of rail services and supported improvements to stations, trains, and timetables, as well as build stronger links with local communities.
The new Ipswich to Cambridge CRP will look to replicate that positive impact, focusing on the communities served by trains along the line (Ipswich, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Elmswell, Thurston, Bury St Edmunds, Kennett, Newmarket, Dullingham, and Cambridge).
The most significant funding support will come from Greater Anglia and from Suffolk County Council – who have kindly agreed to host the CRP officer’s role which will be created to undertake the main work of the CRP. Other valuable funding support will come from the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, West Suffolk Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Cambridge City Council.
The existing CRPs in the region have helped promote rail services in local communities, champion (and sometimes contribute towards) small scale station improvements (including extra support for the work of GA’s station adopters), help secure third-party funding for other upgrades, inform local service priorities and enhancements, and strengthen the role of rail in, and its links with, the local community.
The Ipswich to Cambridge CRP will be looking to take a similar approach, but one that is directly informed by the needs of the customers and communities along that route. With high quality new trains operating all passenger services along the line, the prospects for the future are bright and a CRP will be well placed to build further support for, and increase usage of, this crucial regional transport link.
Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs at Greater Anglia said: “We’re delighted to announce the formation of a new Community Rail Partnership for the Ipswich to Cambridge rail route. We know how successful CRPs can be in building awareness of, and helping to improve, local rail services.
“Back in 2017, we outlined our Community Rail Strategy with aspirations for up to four new CRPs, subject to local support. CRPs for the Southend line (supported by the Essex & South Suffolk CRP) and the Hertford East to Broxbourne line (promoted though the New River Line CRP) have come to fruition and made a real positive difference.
“Now the Ipswich to Cambridge line is to set to benefit from a CRP too. We’re grateful to all the partners who are supporting the new CRP. We are sure that our collaboration will bring benefits for customers and communities along this important rail corridor.”
Image credit: Greater Anglia