BUSINESS LEADERS URGED TO UNITE IN FIGHT FOR BETTER RAIL LINKS
Businesses across the county are being urged to speak with one powerful voice to improve Norfolk’s infrastructure.
And, through the Shaping Norfolk's Future campaign, Fig is at the forefront of the latest push for a united approach in demanding a much better rail service.
The initiative follows the success of Shaping Norfolk's Future's lobbying, with sector groups like Fig, to bring forward dualling of the A11.
Now the attention is on the rail network - at a timely moment as the Government looks to franchise control of the London-Norwich service for the next 10 years.
The campaign got off the ground after the SNF conference in November and was formally launched in February with a letter to Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, from four prominent county leaders – SNF Chairman Mark Hodges, County Council Leader Daniel Cox, Norwich City Council Leader Steve Morphew and Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Caroline Williams.
At the same time a petition was launched to give businesses across Norfolk the chance to add their voice and support to the campaign. It can be signed at both the SNF and Fig websites, but time is tight. The Government will make its decision in mid-April.
Mark Hodges, Chairman of Shaping Norfolk's Future and Executive Director of Aviva, said: “A faster and more reliable rail service to London is absolutely critical for Norwich and Norfolk to remain competitive as business locations. That is why securing improvements to the service is such a high priority for Shaping Norfolk's Future.
“It is really important that as many people get behind this campaign as possible as we need to send a clear message to the Department of Transport about the improvements we want to see.”
The campaign is asking Government to commit to:
- A 90-minute journey time between Norwich and London
- More reliable services, improving upon recent performance
- New spacious, clean and comfortable Inter-City style trains, maintaining the new wi-fi service
- More train capacity to overcome peak hour crowding
- Improvements at stations, including car parking, high quality on-station facilities and a better general environment
- Pressing Network Rail to improve infrastructure to increase speeds and reduce delays
“This is not so much a wish-list as a ‘must have' list,” said Fig Director Marjorie Eade. “The failings of our rail link to London have been well chronicled – and experienced – over many years and there is no doubt that the financial industry, like most others, has suffered in time and cost.
“The East of England Development Agency has commissioned a study to identify the value to the economy of rail improvements and faster trains. Now what we really want to hear is the raised voice of business leaders supporting our campaign.
“Norwich is a vital centre both in the UK's financial sector and globally but too often our transport links give the impression we are at the end of the line. Things may be improving but it will need a determined, sustained and coordinated approach to achieve what we want.”
She said the time for action was ripe as it followed the Government decision to terminate the National Express East Anglia's contract and meant a fresh focus on getting Norfolk's message over to the Government.
It was also an opportune time for industry to influence the service provision and investment requirements to be built into the Government's tendering for the next operator of the route.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Through influencing the new franchise we have the opportunity to improve rail links but we only have a short window of opportunity.”
Business leaders and individuals can add their weight by signing the petition or writing directly to Lord Adonis – with further information on the Fig and SNF websites.
“There is a desire right across Norfolk to see an improved rail service and this is the chance to show the strength of feeling,” said Chris Starkie, SNF Chief Executive.
“The new rail franchise gives us a real chance of making things happen and pressing to have our needs met.”
Sign the petition now at:-
www.gopetition.com/petitions/norwich-in-ninety.html
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