On Thursday 17 September, Rail Minister Claire Perry MP announced of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the new East Anglia rail franchise.
Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds said: “Many people across Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market have contacted me regarding the state of the rail service in Suffolk. With old carriages, unreliability and increased demand, they’re not happy and the Minister has acknowledged that.
The ITT includes a number of requirements, including delivery of “Norwich in Ninety”, “Ipswich in Sixty”, more services, modern rolling stock with wifi access and reduced crowding.
The Minister told me that she knows how important the railway is to supporting the economic growth that we are seeing in East Anglia. I’m delighted that this growth is being noticed and that the Government understands that solid transport infrastructure is required to keep this going.
The bids will be received in December, with a new nine year franchise due to start in October 2016. I look forward to seeing these goals come to fruition and for Suffolk to get the rail service it deserves.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The ITT can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-anglia-franchise-2015-invitation-to-tender