Since the Great Eastern Mainline (GEML) Taskforce was created in 2013, at the request of the Chancellor, they have been making a compelling case for rail improvements in our region, which has resonated right across Whitehall and Westminster.
David Cameron, George Osborne, Transport ministers, MPs from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and beyond, together with many others have repeatedly praised the GEML campaign. More importantly Ministers have committed to the levels of investment that our region needs. Without doubt, the active support of leaders from across business, education and local authorities has helped make the difference.
The GEML Taskforce continue to have confidence in the progress made so far, and that the year-on-year transformation of the Great Eastern Mainline will continue. But success depends on us, the local business community, to keep up the momentum.
The Taskforce has advised that, despite the recent news of Network Rail’s performance and Government plans to ‘pause’ improvements in parts of the country, the Great Eastern Mainline was not affected. Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin repeated his promise to the Taskforce to bring about ‘modern, faster trains to Ipswich and Norwich in the next franchise’. And in the recent Summer Budget, the Chancellor also re-affirmed his commitment for ‘Norwich in 90 and Ipswich in 60’ campaign. Keeping up the momentum, the Taskforce has written to the Transport Secretary and Network Rail asking for renewed assurances that the improvements will be delivered on time and as promised.
The GEML Taskforce has met twice, since the General Election in May, to review progress and agree the next steps. The most recent developments for the Great Eastern Mainline are:
- Department for Transport has announced the three train companies shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. They are Abellio East Anglia in a joint venture with Stagecoach; First East Anglia; and National Express. These train companies will now submit their bids to Government by August, with the expectation that they will be innovative in their approach to achieving the recommendations of the Great Eastern Rail Report – including all-important new rolling stock and changes to the timetable. The contract winner will be announced by Government in June 2016 with the new franchise starting in October 2016.
The Taskforce has invited each of the three bidders to meet with them, so that they can outline first hand the high expectations that our region has of the new service. All three train companies have confirmed their acceptance of the invitation.
- Network Rail is undertaking a feasibility study which will set out the engineering work required to increase the speed of the rail line. The final recommendations will be published in November 2015 with work starting soon after. At the same time, Network Rail’s Anglia Route Study will identify the work needed for the whole of the region between 2019-2024 and will be published in summer 2015.
- All the newly elected MPs across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been briefed on the GEML campaign and are supportive and fully involved.
The GEML Taskforce have recently written to business leaders across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and invited them to attend an update meeting on 23 October 2015 in Ipswich. The meeting will bring together all the key supporters and provide a progress update on the campaign, as well as answer any questions. They also hope that all three of the shortlisted train companies for our region’s rail franchise will attend this meeting.
Commenting on the work that has been done so far by the GEML Taskforce,Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“It is vitally important the Norfolk’s business community continue to support the rail campaign and the work that the GEML Taskforce is doing. Already the results of delivering a consistent message to Westminster, from the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex’s business communities; the New Anglia LEP; theMPs from across the 3 counties;and the local authoritiesis paying off. With continued support and encouragement, we can work together to transform our railway.”
