Task force to target Ely rail junction upgrade

Could work finally get underway? Credit: ITV News Anglia

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Plans to upgrade the railway junctions north of Ely have taken a step forward.

A task force headed by the South West Norfolk MP Liz Truss is raising money for detailed plans which they say will make a persuasive case for improving the line in the next round of Government spending

The task force from various agencies met in Downham Market.

At present six passenger services use this stretch of railway.

  • King's Lynn to London

  • Norwich to Thetford and Cambridge

  • Birmingham to Stansted

  • Norwich to Liverpool

  • Ipswich to Peterborough

  • Wisbech to Cambridge

Proposed Improvement work would allow more and longer trains to use this part of the network...creating an estimated half billion pound windfall from new jobs and other economic benefits.

Around £8m is now being raised to provide detailed plans to convince the Department of Transport to fund the work itself. It's likely to cost far more than the £35 million originally envisaged.

Spending constraints have already seen the scheme sidelined once. The current task force is determined to drive it through before much more time passes.