Council backs new Community Rail Partnership

The aim of the Community Rail Partnership (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 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).

Mid Suffolk District Council will provide funding for the CRP alongside Greater Anglia, Suffolk County Council, the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, West Suffolk 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.

Commenting on the new CRP, 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.”

Councillor Teresa Davis, cabinet member for thriving communities at Mid Suffolk District Council, said:

“In a time of counting every penny, it is great to show that by working together we can make improvements in our stations and encourage more users to opt for the train.”