Greater Anglia has announced the formation of a new community rail partnership (CRP) for the Ipswich to Cambridge rail route.
The aim of the CRP is to help develop and promote rail services along this key regional rail corridor, helping to align the evolution of services in line with local needs.
There are already a number of successful CRPs across the Greater Anglia network (the Bittern Line CRP, East Suffolk Lines CRP, Essex and South Suffolk CRP, Hereward CRP, New River Line CRP, and Wherry Lines CRP), which have all helped raise the profile of rail services, support improvements to stations, trains and timetables, and strengthen the role of rail in, and its links with, local communities.
The new Ipswich to Cambridge CRP will look to replicate that positive impact, focusing on the communities served by trains along the line (Ipswich, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Elmswell, Thurston, Bury St Edmunds, Kennett, Newmarket, Dullingham and Cambridge).
The new CRP will be funded by Greater Anglia and Suffolk County Council, with additional support from the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, West Suffolk Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Cambridge City Council.
Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs at Greater Anglia, said: “We’re delighted to announce the formation of a new Community Rail Partnership for the Ipswich to Cambridge rail route. We know how successful CRPs can be in building awareness of, and helping to improve, local rail services.
“Back in 2017, we outlined our Community Rail Strategy with aspirations for up to four new CRPs, subject to local support. CRPs for the Southend line (supported by the Essex & South Suffolk CRP) and the Hertford East to Broxbourne line (promoted though the New River Line CRP) have come to fruition and made a real positive difference.
“Now the Ipswich to Cambridge line is to set to benefit from a CRP too. We’re grateful to all the partners who are supporting the new CRP. We are sure that our collaboration will bring benefits for customers and communities along this important rail corridor.”
Find out more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.
