NEWS ARCHIVE
Please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
on Saturday if your planned Sunday journey involves using any train on the
Liverpool-Norwich route, where there could be an emergency timetable.
Issued 29 August 2013
Please remember that Liverpool-Norwich expresses cannot serve Nottingham or
Grantham stations till 26 August.
They will instead serve East Midlands Parkway, which has extra staff,
toilets and waiting rooms, with connecting buses from and to Nottingham.
For journeys east from Nottingham, please use Special bus stop 5,
next to the temporary ticket office in Station Street, opposite Capital One.
Temporary toilets are at the nearby tram terminus and your fare is reduced by
15%.
There are, of course, hourly East Coast trains between Grantham
and Peterborough.
Westbound expresses cannot serve Alfreton.
Your ticket is valid via Chesterfield or, except on Sundays, you can take the 1657
from Norwich and change at East Midlands Parkway.
Bus and train times are at www.nationalrail.co.uk
Please tweet any questions to @shirley_updates
We should love to receive your journey experiences at penrugjohn@btinternet.com
We at
Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users thank all those colleagues from campaign
and user groups acting as volunteer stewards to help passengers during the big
blockade.
Issued 20 July 2013
Over the summer, trains from Birmingham to Stansted
Airport and from Liverpool to Norwich should get new toilets. Some are already
in place.
Issued 20 May 2013
There will be major disruption east of Ely from 7 to 12 May and on all routes
on the 12 May.
Issued 2 May 2013
Many journeys will be severely disrupted by line closures on
Saturdays and Sundays in April. Please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
Issued 21 March 2013
Our Annual General Meeting is in Thetford on Saturday 18 May.
Issued 15 January 2013
On 29 September, 2002, the (then) Strategic Rail
Authority introduced new hourly local trains between Norwich and Cambridge. We
send tenth birthday greetings to all Norwich-Cambridge passengers and to all
who staff and maintain the trains. Our priority is to see a comprehensive deep
clean of all carpets and upholstery, then to see them kept clean.
Issued 23 September 2012
National Passenger Satisfaction Survey Results Spring 2012.
OVERALL SATISFACTION
Birmingham-Stansted Airport 89%
Liverpool-Norwich 86%
National average 83%
Anglia Rurals 82%
Issued 5 July 2012
All or part of the route between Ely and Norwich will be
closed on several Sundays in May, June and July; full details of buses and
trains from www.nationrail.co.uk
Issued
19 May 2012
There will be no Liverpool-Norwich trains on Tuesdays 1, 8 or 15
May or on Thursdays 3, 10 or 17 May.
Issued 28 April 2012
Our 2012 Annual General Meeting is at 1030 on Saturday 28 April in
the Riversdale Centre, Tanner Street, Thetford, IP24 2BQ. Our guest speaker is
Steven Ashling of Network Rail.
Issued 15 April 2012
Please contact us if you have an appropriate date for our events
list.
Issued 19 January 2012
From 12 December, the 1352 from Liverpool will be extended to
Norwich, providing a convenient "conference train" home from
Nottingham at 1634, increasing passenger choice and relieving Friday
overcrowding on the 1252 and 1452 from Liverpool.
Issued 1 November 2011
The Sunday train at 1553 from Norwich to Thetford and Manchester
has been omitted from some rural timetables.
The Sunday trains at 0952 from Nottingham to Norwich and 1049 from
Sheffield to Norwich will not run after 11 September.
Issued 14 June 2011
At a friendly and positive annual general meeting on 7 May,
members decided that the variability of the everyday passenger experience - in
terms of fares, staffing, closures and station exits - is likely to form a
major part of our activity over the next few years.
Issued 8 May 2011
The 2011 annual general meeting of Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail
Users is at 1030 on Saturday 7 May in the Riversdale Centre, Thetford.
Issued 17 April 2011
In the latest round of passenger satisfaction surveys 94% of
passengers on the hourly expresses from Norwich, Thetford and Ely to
Peterborough, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool said they were
satisfied with their train service, one of the highest figures in the
industry.
We congratulate all front-line staff, managers and planners on
their achievement.
More seats and an extra train are planned for this nation-building
route in 2011.
Issued 29 January 2011
We thank all the railway people working hard to keep our trains
running, mostly on time, in the cold weather..
Issued 20 December 2010
The times of Sunday trains between Norwich and Cambridge will
change from 12 December 2010 with extra services at 1003 and 2203 from Norwich,
0848 and 1152 from Cambridge.
Some Norwich-Cambridge trains will have more seats through the week from the
same date.
Issued 18 October 2010
There is still time to see the summer floral displays along
platforms at Attleborough, Brandon, Ely, Manea,
March, Thetford and Wymondham stations. We thank station adopters David Turner,
Fenland Street Pride, Friends of Brandon Station, NENTA Traintours
and railway staff who make our journeys colourful.
Issued 18 August 2010
Liverpool-Norwich trains will be replaced by buses between Peterborough and
Norwich on all Saturdays from 19 June to 14 August and on all Sundays between
18 July and 15 August.
On the same dates, Norwich-Cambridge trains will be replaced by buses between
Norwich and Thetford or Attleborough.
Please check with www.nationalrail.co.uk before travel.
Issued 17 June 2010
Members of Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users enjoyed an informative and
positive Annual General Meeting on 24 April, when British Transport
Police talked about policing the railway and Nigel Carlisle about managing the
railway.
Issued 6 May 2010
The 2010 Annual General Meeting of
Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users will be at 1100 on Saturday 24 April in the
Riversdale Centre, Tanner Street, Thetford, IP24 2BQ.
We shall welcome Nigel Carlisle (from the Liverpool-Norwich operator) and
British Transport Police (subject to confirmation). All passengers are welcome,
though only paid-up members can vote on any internal issues.
Issued 3 March 2010
Please remember major disruption caused by engineering work between Ely and
Norwich 13 to 21 February and again on 27/28 February. Trains from Liverpool
and Nottingham will terminate at Peterborough or Ely, trains from Cambridge at
either Brandon or Thetford. Please check with www.nationalrail.co.uk for times of revised
trains and replacement buses.
Issued 9 February 2010
We have commented on plans by Norfolk County Council
to update its Norwich Area Transportation Strategy in the light of planned
population growth. We have welcomed proposals for:
We have made suggestions for developing these ideas, reminded
officers of access issues at Wymondham station and emphasised the importance to
Norwich of its Liverpool trains. Subject to value, we have supported the idea
of more trains between Norwich, Wymondham and Cambridge.
Issued 29 November 2009
At a most positive meeting in Ely on 5 September, Mrs Heather Bolt spoke about
the objectives, benefits and achievements of Norfolk
Rail Policy Group, "oiling the wheels". It shows the commitment of
local authorities to rail, tries to
marry development to rail-served sites and draws down matched funding. It
has overseen growth on all passenger routes in and from Norfolk, including the
Bittern line to Sheringham. Stations should be easy
to find, accessible and easy to park at.
Alan Neville, who now manages Ely and March stations, believes that the station
is the gateway to a town or city and should be suitably welcoming. He described
his relationships with staff, train operators, District Councils and Station
Friends groups. Ely now has much improved platform lights and a safer subway.
March has seen four clearing sessions and four big flower tubs. March user Alan
Walker praised the efforts of Alan and March staff in keeping the station
bright and clean.
Issued 6 September 2009
Passengers are invited to a public meeting of
Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users at 1100 on Saturday 5th
September 2009 in Ely Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Ely.
Guest speaker will be Mrs Heather Bolt, former chairman of Norfolk Rail Policy
Group, a frequent rail passenger and someone with experience of influencing
rail developments.
Also in attendance will be Alan Neville, who manages Ely and March
stations and has a reputation for getting things done.
Issued 2 August 2009
Wisbech is at present served by half-hourly air-conditioned coaches from
Peterborough station.
The report also suggests further study of a service from
Oxford/Milton Keynes to Peterborough via Corby and Stamford, as planned in the
early ‘90s.
The publication of this report does not imply that any
money has been allocated to explore these schemes.
Issued 29 June 2009
Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users much appreciates the
opportunity to offer initial comments on Norfolk County Council’s outline ideas
for the 20 year transport strategy for Greater Norwich.
We warmly welcome the intention to provide excellent
pedestrian facilities in Norwich City Centre. This will help to attract
shoppers and tourists to the city by train.
We share the view that cycling is likely to play a more
important role in transport within Norwich and in developing sustainable
tourism to Whitlingham Broad. We see a need for good
cycling routes to, cycle parking at and cycle hire near Norwich railway station.
We welcome the intention to explore the possibility of
developing up to six rapid transit routes. We hope that as many as possible of
these can pass Norwich railway station. There is a clear demand for
high-quality and high-frequency public transport between the University and Norwich
railway station; we see a similar potential between Norwich Airport and Norwich
railway station.
Development of a rapid transit corridor to Wymondham would
offer an opportunity to restore frequent links between Hethersett and Wymondham
railway station, with access improvements at the station.
Issued 1 June 2009
All Liverpool-Norwich train catering will be withdrawn from 17
May.
Issued 20 April 2009
Our AGM will be held at 1030 on Saturday 18th April
2009 at the King’s House, Thetford. All, including non-members, welcome.
Membership application forms will be available for new members.
Issued 4 March 2009
On many Sundays in 2009 Norwich-London trains will be replaced by
buses for part of the journey. Several passengers are expected to travel from
Norwich to Cambridge, changing there for London Kings Cross. We have now
secured a promise that, whenever possible, those Norwich-Cambridge Sunday
trains will be of three cars, giving more passengers a better chance of getting
a seat.
Issued 21 December 2008
Timetable changes effective from 14th December 2008
include the 0650 from Cambridge to Birmingham starting back at Stansted Airport. The 1612 Birmingham to Cambridge will be
replaced by a 1652 and the 1624 Birmingham to Stansted
will be accelerated.
Issued 28 November 2008
Timetable changes effective from 14th December 2008
include a new train at 0722 from Cambridge to Ely to connect into the 0652 from
Norwich to Liverpool. This is in response to a request from Cambridgeshire ACRE
and Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users.
Issued 9 November 2008
Timetable changes effective from 14th December 2008
include the early morning Cambridge to Norwich train retimed to arrive earlier
in Norwich to improve a London connection. The late evening Norwich to Cambridge
train will leave Norwich 30 minutes later at 2240 and will be more convenient
for a night out in the city. National Express East Anglia will take over from
East Midlands Trains the operation of these two trains.
Issued 20 October 2008
Liverpool-Norwich stakeholder manager John Hillman addressed a
public meeting in Norwich recently. Mark reports:
John started by mentioning the stakeholder board and then
moved on to the kind of passenger who uses the route. The main feature is the
use by students all year round although no universities feature in the
stakeholder board. Off peak leisure accounts for many other
passengers. There is not too much commuting (except in the Manchester
area) and very little business travel. Each year 3.8m journeys are made using
2-car 158s.
Overcrowding is a major problem with capacity at 150% on
most trains at some point. The train company receives four times as many
complaints about Norwich-Liverpool than any other service. The DfT has no schemes to improve capacity although the new
Nottingham-Leeds service should help. There is no need to promote the service.
Over the next 10 years 75,000 more homes will spring up at Thetford,
Peterborough, Grantham and Nottingham.
158s are undergoing a £10m refurbishment – 10 weeks per
unit. It is hoped to increase the use of 4-car services from seven to 15 by Dec
2011 but platform lengths is a problem. Seating capacity goes up from 138 to
157 with fewer tables and thinner seats. Refurbishment due to
be completed by April 2010.
There is hope that some 150s might become available from
London Midland and London Overground in 2010 at the
earliest. Their use on local services would enable more 158s to be released for
our route. Aspirations include the 1352 from Liverpool running to Norwich. The
business case is cost neutral and the unit would return on the 0552 the next
morning.
Overall impression – quietly positive
without the spin, being open about the obstacles.
Issued 4 October 2008
A letter
we recently had published in the “Fenland Citizen”:
“Dear Keith,
A rumour is circulating in March that the town is to lose the
services provided by one of its franchised train operators. The truth is that,
from now till 13 December, the normal daily through trains to and from
Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield have to start and finish their journeys in
Chesterfield and Nottingham due to restoration work in Bradway
tunnel. The direct trains will be back in December, though the 1806 to
Manchester will then be replaced by a later train to Nottingham.
Also from December the last four evening trains from March
to Cambridge will all be extended into Stansted
Airport on Mondays to Fridays, providing extra journey opportunities.
March is generally well served by its railway, with up to 27
daily trains into Peterborough and hourly trains to Birmingham, Cambridge,
Leicester, Stamford and Stansted Airport. In
response, passenger numbers have grown from 163,000 a year a decade ago to
296,000 a year now, a sustained success story.
Yours sincerely,
www.penrug.org.uk
Issued 19 September 2008
Members of Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users, Travel Watch East
Midlands and Travel Watch North West (together with staff from Passenger Focus)
did a Liverpool-Norwich line survey in the week starting 18 August, enabling
the concerns and experiences of passengers to be fed into a formal development
bid for the route.
Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users has also written to the
Office of Rail Regulation urging approval of a scheme to change the layout of
tracks at Nottingham station during planned resignalling
so that Liverpool-Norwich passengers gain some punctuality
benefits.
Issued 31 August 2008
Over 50 painted elephants grace the streets of Norwich until 31 August
in a spectacular display of popular art. For more details go
to www.goelephants.co.uk. There are up to hourly trains to Norwich
from Nottingham, Peterborough, Cambridge, Brandon, Attleborough and Wymondham,
twice hourly from Ely and Thetford.
Issued 17 August 2008
Journeys between Cambridge/Liverpool/Peterborough and Norwich will
be seriously disrupted up to 16 August by engineering work. Please check before
you travel.
Issued 2 August 2008
New guidelines have produced a dramatic reduction in Liverpool-Norwich
cancellations east of Ely and west of Warrington. Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail
Users welcomes a significant step forward.
Issued 13 July 2008
The Liverpool-Norwich service development stakeholder board held
its first meeting on 1 July, bringing together representatives from Greater
Manchester and South Yorkshire passenger transport executives, Liverpool,
Nottingham and Peterborough City Councils, Derbyshire, Norfolk and
Nottinghamshire County Councils, East Midlands development agency and regional
assembly, Network Rail, Passenger Focus, the train operator, Travel Watch East
Midlands and Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users.
There were presentations from the train operator, TWEM and
from Christopher Irwin, who initiated the campaign to develop the
Cardiff-Portsmouth route.
Objectives are to:
Issued 2 July 2008