Waveney MP Peter Aldous today welcomed the launch of the new East Anglian Rail Prospectus.

MPs from across East Anglia lead a cross party, multi-agency alliance from four counties to launch the East Anglian Rail Prospectus yesterday.

The Prospectus presents the strategic and economic case for long-term investment to improve the region’s rail network. It has been co-authored by a multi-agency group including regional MPs, Local Enterprise Partnerships, County Councils, Rail Passenger Groups and Train Operating Companies.

MPs were joined at the launch by the region’s MPs, representatives from Local Enterprise Partnerships, and Greater Anglia, Train Operating Companies and local authorities.

The launch marked the start of a concerted campaign to make the strongest possible case for improvements to be made to the region’s rail network.

The call for the improvements includes:

• Improved infrastructure
• Higher quality rolling stock
• Increased reliability
• Faster journey times

LEPs including New Anglia have commissioned detailed technical analysis of the region’s economy and rail infrastructure being for the East Anglian Rail Prospectus, which will now be put to Ministers at the Department for Transport.

The launch will be followed today by a Westminster Hall Debate on East Anglian rail led by Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, and culminates in a presentation of the Prospectus to the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening on Wednesday 4th July.

Mr Aldous said:

“I welcome the launch of this prospectus outlining investment in rail in our region. Improving rail services is an essential part of the infrastructure investment that will aid economic recovery, attract business and tourism to our area and have considerable positive knock-on-effects.”

Peter Aldous has been campaigning since his election in May 2010 for improved rail services in East Anglia. In October 2010 he secured £3 million of the £4 million required to complete the Beccles Loop from Government with Suffolk County Council paying £1 million. In December 2010 he led fellow Suffolk MPs Dan Poulter and Therese Coffey to meet Transport Secretary Theresa Villers at the Department of Transport to press home the importance of rail links to the region. Since then he has spoken consistently in the importance of transport infrastructure in the House of Commons.

On the 16th May 2012 Aldous spoke in his Adjournment Debate on Lowestoft Rail Station. Peter had secured the Debate concerned that Lowestoft Station’s appearance and aged facilities have become a disincentive to travel into the Waveney area for tourism and for businesses.
Peter argued that: “There is now a compelling case for redeveloping Lowestoft Central station, to return it to a good state of repair and to make it a focal point for the regeneration of Lowestoft.”