| Urgent action needed for some rail improvements |
| Sunday, 13 July 2008 | |
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Urgent action needed to improve railway Network Rail has been urged by Norfolk and Suffolk county councils to start improving the Norwich to London line and they have also written to the Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly about recent disruption to services. The councils are want the work of modernising the old overhead power lines, some of which date back to the 1940s, to be speeded up. Adrian Gunson, from Norfolk County Council and the chairman of the Norfolk Rail Alliance, felt that there was growing concern that the age and condition of overhead lines near Chelmsford were putting reliability at risk. He said "We fear that the sort of disruption experienced recently... is damaging to the Norfolk and Suffolk economies." Councillor Guy McGregor of Suffolk County Council added: "Rail disruption will only deter people from using trains to get in and out of the county." Although the overhead lines are scheduled to be replaced by 2012, the councils want the work completed earlier. In their letter, also sent to Ms Kelly, the councils have also called for work on signalling to be brought forward, more upgrading of cross-country routes and high maintenance standards. The two county councils have agreed to ask all their MPs for support over the issue. Network Rail was unavailable to comment on the letter the councils have sent. As well as recent overhead line problems, a goods train derailed causing delays in June. |
