Our Rail Problems Go Global!

Interesting to note that the media stories regarding heat affected services on the GE mainline have been seen online in:

• Chelmsford Weekly News
• Telegraph
• Express
• Daily Mail
• MSNBC (USA/Online)
• Atlantic Cities (USA)
• WKZO (USA)
• WTAQ (USA)
• WSAU (USA)
• WHTC (USA)
• Reuters
• Malaysia Star
• CNBC
• Chicago Tribune
• Norwich Evening News
• Reuters Africa
• Globe & Mail (Canada)
• Metro
• ITV News
• BreakingNews.ie
• Irish Examiner
• Independent
• TNT Magazine

and the Evening Standard.


Stories about trains not stopping at Stratford (THE Olympic station!) to avoid delays, will not show our railways in the best light.  Take note Network Rail and Greater Anglia!

Would A Poor Rail Service Affect The Way You Vote?

The ongoing problems suffered by Manningtree commuters almost daily, caused mainly by lack of investment in infrastructure, and the ever increasing costs in traveling by train have prompted some to suggest it would affect the way they vote at the next election.

Would your vote be affected by the local train service?  Let us know at info@mrua.org

Beaulieu Park - New Station

It is understood that work will start on constructing the first of the new houses at Beaulieu Park, north of Chelmsford, in March 2013. Importantly for Manningtree passengers, initial work on the new station there is currently out to tender, so could start soon. The new station will include long passing loops to enable fast trains to pass slower ones thereby improving journey times.

Inter City Coaches To Be Refurbished

Rumours in the media suggesting Greater Anglia are making plans to refurbish the Mark 3 Inter City carriages that make up the London - Norwich services.  The refurbishment will include a repaint into GA white with the red doors, cosmetic and corrosion repairs.  Interior improvements including new seats and improved lighting have also been discussed apparently.

A single restaurant car has already been been treated because it needed additional work carried out but rumours suggest the rest of the fleet will be done next year.

Rail Manifesto

If you would like a copy of the Rail Manifesto that was launched on Monday, please contact us at info@mrua.org and we will email a copy to you.

Manifesto For A Better Rail Service Launched

A prospectus entitled Once in a Generation - A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia has been launched by an alliance of interested parties claiming that the existing rail network is holding back economic performance in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.

The document is seen as a realistic and technically feasable programme of improvements between now and 2032.

Improvements of interest to local passengers include infrastructure upgrades on the Great Eastern Mainline, new trains and increased frequency on branch lines.

The prospectus is being supported by local MPs, over 25 local authorities and 19 Rail User Groups including the MRUA as part of the Essex Rail Users Federation.

Olympics Train Information Available

Details of timetable changes to accommodate the London Olympics are available for download from the Greater Anglia website.