Train Station Issues Flagged Up

EnAble Thetford is a group funded by People’s Health Trust with money raised through local health lotteries and supported by the Royal Voluntary Service. Since 2019 they have been engaging with local people to find out what they think about the access to platforms at Thetford Train Station. The overwhelming response is that many residents find the station difficult to use, especially if you have mobility aids, need to use a pushchair, or have heavy luggage.

The footbridge at Thetford Station is the only way of crossing the tracks and getting from one platform to another Thetford Station has a number of unused buildings

The group recently held a meeting where Jack Weaver, the Greater Thetford Partnership (GTP) Manager was able to update the group on the work he has been undertaking regarding the station site. Jack was able to put the situation into context for the group, in relation to Government policy, the railway industry and infrastructure issues. The most pressing issue is the footbridge and having accessible access to each platform. Jack explained that although permission was in place to install a step free bridge at the ticket office end of the platform, unfortunately there was no funding in place. He would like to see a partnership created similar to the one set up by Fenland District Council and Network Anglia. The partnership worked together on several projects for investments in 3 stations, March, Whittlesea and Manea. Wymondham, Attleborough and Thetford will be significant commuter stations and could join up to make a partnership bookended by Norwich & Ely. Jack would also like to see the vacant station building brought back into use, possibly as flexible office space. One of the biggest issues is the length of time it can take to get the partnership and funding in place. It took 10 years for the Fenland partnership. The group said their research flagged up several issues with station users. One was the lack of toilets and ticketing provision on each platform, some users said that they had had issues where they had struggled over the footbridge only to need to go back again to use the toilet facilities. The opening hours of the ticket office and toilet facilities were also an issue. Jack said that unfortunately the train station was not fit for purpose long term. With the dramatic increase in population by the time Kingsfleet development is finished in 2043 there could be over 12,500 more people living in the town. A short term solution would be to make access to the train more easy from the north side, however there are various land ownership issues with this. The most logical would be a new footbridge. Network Rail view the current bridge as becoming not fit for purpose within 10 – 20 years. The current bridge was installed in the 1840s and is part of the grade 2 listing of the station, so would need to be conserved. For people currently facing issues using the station, even 10 years is too long to wait for improvements. Jack said that for him the station was a priority and that he is working hard behind the scenes to deliver a solution. Transport is the first objective for GTP and he is working with both Network Rail and Greater Anglia and is part of the conversation between Norwich and Ely to lobby for investment from Government. “There’s a real opportunity, but anything you want to do is intrinsically expensive’ he explained. Network Rail work on a 5-year funding round, and to line this up with Government funding is difficult. Jack said he feels that community rail is the way to go forward, a successful model has been used in Essex and Transport East have a new strategy coming up for consultation that Thetford could feed into.

For more information on the Enable Thetford project please contact:

linda.hunter@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 5

Next level broadband. Now live in Thetford.

900Mbps download and upload speeds No installation fees or hidden costs Outstanding WiFi coverage Find out more at upp.com or scan: