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Campaign to improve rail accessibility at key stop on busy Gainsborough Line gathers steam




Marks Tey rail station, a key stop on the Gainsborough Line from Sudbury, is preparing a funding bid to improve passenger accessibility. Pictured: South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, Witham MP Priti Patel, and Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia. (3613486)
Marks Tey rail station, a key stop on the Gainsborough Line from Sudbury, is preparing a funding bid to improve passenger accessibility. Pictured: South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, Witham MP Priti Patel, and Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia. (3613486)

A campaign to improve accessibility on a busy rail line from Sudbury has started to gather steam, after MPs met with rail bosses in anticipation of a major funding bid.

The MP for South Suffolk, James Cartlidge, met with representatives of Greater Anglia on Tuesday at Marks Tey rail station, a key stop on the well-used Gainsborough Line, which is seeking funding for new bridges and lifts at the station.

The station is regularly used as a changeover point by commuters travelling from Sudbury to London Liverpool Street.

Marks Tey will submit a bid later this year to the Access for All Fund, a Department for Transport (DfT) programme that aims to address issues faced by rail passengers with disabilities or mobility difficulties.

Mr Cartlidge was joined by fellow MP Priti Patel, who represents the neighbouring constituency of Witham, and Greater Anglia managing director Jamie Burles to support the campaign.

He stated he will now be writing to Sudbury Town Council, Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council to urge them to get behind the funding bid.

“I am delighted Greater Anglia have confirmed they will be supporting Marks Tey’s case to receive Access for All funding, as their number one priority of all potential accessibility funding candidates,” he said.

“This significantly improves the chances of Marks Tey finally receiving funding to install a lift for those crossing platforms.

“The crossing at Marks Tey station is important for all commuters and passengers who use the station, but that is particularly so for those who use the Gainsborough Line from Sudbury.

“The reason for this is that commuters travelling from Sudbury, Bures or Chappel have to cross the platforms at Marks Tey to link up with their London connection.

“The time between services is deliberately short, so they can be regarded as a ‘connecting’ service, but this means that some passengers can struggle to cross the bridge in time to meet the connection.”

Mr Cartlidge explained that the proposal could also pave the way for more services between Sudbury and Colchester, as the improvements would remove the need for Marks Tey passengers to use the pedestrian crossing, which cuts across the end of the Sudbury spur.

This would mean Marks Tey would be able to pass the health and safety requirements to accommodate an increased number of services.

“The Gainsborough Line may be short, but it is important for my constituents in Sudbury, and it cuts through three districts and four parliamentary constituencies,” Mr Cartlidge added.

“Let’s hope that by working together we can help deliver the Access for All funding into Marks Tey that could significantly improve the passenger experience at this important interchange.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, added: “A new footbridge and lifts at Marks Tey station will be our top priority for the latest round of Access for All funding.

“Marks Tey is a very busy station on the Great Eastern Main Line, and serves as an important interchange for rail passengers using our Sudbury branch line services.

“We will be working with all local stakeholders, including our local MPs, to build up a strong case in time for the submission deadline in November.”



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