Rail in the East.

Marks Tey Station in Essex, with the offending bridge

Driving into Ipswich is a complete nightmare at present because Hadleigh Road is closed 'for improvements’.  I have had conflicting reports with regard to how long this state of affairs will continue.  Estimates range from 11 to 23 working days.  If it turns out to be the latter figure we are talking about problems running into February.

One day last week it took me almost two hours to get to the Council offices, and so I decided to take a look at the options available by train.  These are not particularly encouraging.  Almost all journeys involve well over an hour of travel and two quite lengthy waits on Marks Tey and Colchester stations.  Nonetheless, given the alternative at present, I think I may decide to take this route if my timetable permits.

There is no doubt that, unless you are trying to get down to London, journeys by train from Sudbury are not particularly convenient.  Even the London route necessitates the climb over the bridge at Marks Tey, which is fine for the able bodied, but less so for those who finds stairs difficult. I agree with those who are campaigning for a lift or something similar to ease the burden for the elderly and disabled.  It seems wrong that their access to London should be so restricted.

There is some glimmer of hope that things might improve in the longer term.  Currently there are  no fewer than three rail consultations taking place, all looking at investment options to improve rail travel in East Anglia.  One of these consultations even contemplates a new rail line between Sudbury and Cambridge.  I am afraid however that pigs and flying come to mind in this connection!

A link to Network Rail's 'Improving Connectivity' consultation can be found here . These are the proposals that include the suggestion about a line between Cambridge and Sudbury.  The Department of Transport's consultation on the future of rail services in East Anglia can be found here. Unfortunately the second consultation from Network Rail, 'The Anglia Route Study' can't be accessed from the link that I have been sent and attempts to access the website are not working at present.  Business as usual at Network Rail then!