Cambridgeshire Mayor James Palmer talks about the work so far on improving Fenland's rail services
Since his election last year Cambridgeshire Mayor James Palmer has continuously emphasised the need for improved infra-structure across Fenland that includes a better train service. Here, in his own words, Mayor Palmer gives an update on progress so far in achieving that goal....
“Having lived in rural Cambridgeshire all my life and a regular rail user, I’m well accustomed to the fact that passengers in the Fens are dealing with a train service that is simply not up to scratch for the 21st Century.
“It’s time that changed and I’ve made clear as Mayor that rail in Fenland is one of my top transport priorities.
“I’ve made no secret of my frustrations with how rail is delivered in this country, but I have to work with the system we’ve got, and I’m not prepared to accept a lack of ambition from Network Rail and train operators when it comes to Fens rail.
“I have recently met with both Greater Anglia and CrossCountry trains, which run services that include stops at Whittlesey, March, Manea and Ely, to press them on what they are doing to improve services.
“The good news is that Greater Anglia has committed in its franchise agreement to making its Peterborough to Ipswich route run hourly instead of two-hourly. That means hourly instead of two hourly stops Fens stations, which will be a huge improvement.
“The next question, of course, is when? Greater Anglia will start to roll out its new fleet of modern trains from summer 2019, and wants this hourly service up and running by 2020.
“Part of what has enabled this improvement are the proposed works to improve the notorious rail bottleneck at Ely, which I am also working to support. In order for this service to happen in 2020, we need the support of Network Rail. I have written to them to ask if there is any reason why passengers at March, Manea and Whittlesea cannot expect this improved service by 2020.
“I meet with Network Rail regularly, as well as Rail Minister Jo Johnson, and be assured that if there are any hold ups in bringing these new services on stream, I will be taking it up with them directly.
“Another key point I raised is the need for later running trains at Fens stations, particularly around weekends. This is something North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay has campaigned tirelessly for and I support him on this. Currently those who wish to have a Saturday night out in Cambridge and want to return to March, Manea or Whittlesea by rail, must catch the last train at 8.35pm - which of course is no choice at all. Greater Anglia has pledged to look into this, and I have also written to Network Rail to see if there are any operational reasons why later trains can’t run, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
“I was disappointed that CrossCountry would not commit to better services for Fens stations, but their franchise is set to come to an end in the latter part of 2019. A consultation is ongoing on what the new franchise will look like, and I will be pressing to enshrine more frequent services and later running trains at Fens stations in any new franchise agreement before it goes out to tender.”
