(28-06-2009)

Proposed Changes To Services

National Express East Anglia is undertaking a consultation that would see an increase in capacity on mainline trains to London as well as additional services to the capital. Through the Department for Transport the train operator has secured 188 additional carriages providing extra seats for passengers over the next three years.

From December 2010 the proposal would see all East Suffolk Line trains terminate at Ipswich in order to free up capacity on the mainline south. Connections to London at Ipswich would be retimed so the maximum wait to change trains would be 10 to 15 minutes. East Suffolk Line services would be increased from every 2 hours to every hour between Ipswich and Saxmundham. From December 2012 full hourly service to Lowestoft would commence provided the Beccles Loop is constructed (National Express is working with Network Rail to secure funding for the loop).

Class 170 diesel trains used for the Lowestoft to London through services would then be transferred to the Ipswich - Cambridge, and Norwich - Cambridge routes, which, like the East Suffolk Line, are not electrified (the 188 carriages mentioned above can only be used on electrified lines). Class 170 trains used between Lowestoft and Ipswich would be retained with the additional services provided by class 153/156 trains.

National Express would like your comments on these proposals. Email
nxeattconsultation@nationalexpress.com or write to:

Metro, Mainline and Rural timetable consultation
National Express East Anglia
Oliver’s Yard
55 City Road
London
EC1Y 1HQ

For comments to be considered they must be received by 11 September 2009.