Improved Punctuality

National Express East Anglia saw punctuality improve in the year to 30th May, with a full two percentage point jump to 94.3% of trains arriving on time.

Potentially Significant Changes To Train Services

NXEA has begun a 12 week consultation period in preparation for significant changes to the timetable in December 2010. This follows the announcement earlier in the year of new and used carriages being acquired by NXEA, increasing the fleet size by 17%.

Manningtree is likely to be affected by these changes following a promise by NXEA to Norfolk passengers of a faster service to London. It may be that Manningtree loses one of the two Inter City services each hour in the off peak period. There is no suggestion of an actual reduction in the number of stopping services however.

Highlights as follows:

• Longer peak time trains
• Two additional morning peak trains
• Two Inter City arrivals in London before 07:00
• More peak services to call at Stratford

Details to follow...

Resurfacing Work At The Station

There is currently platform resurfacing work being done at the station together with some replacement of the platform edge. Extra care should be taken whilst this work is undertaken.

Manningtree Buffet In The Top Ten!

The buffet at Manningtree Station has been included in the top ten station buffets in the country as described in today's Guardian.

Additional London to Ipswich Service

In light of the potential overcrowding on the 17:00 BST and 17:30 BST London to Norwich services on the 21st and 22nd May (see previous entry) there will be an additional service on both days.  Leaving Liverpool Street at 17:28 it will call at Manningtree and Ipswich only.

Peak Trains Fully Booked For Holiday Weekend

Travellers have been advised to avoid peak-time trains from Liverpool Street to Norwich on Thursday (today) and Friday.

National Express East Anglia have warned passengers to avoid the 1700 BST and 17:30 BST trains from London which are already fully booked.  Notices at Liverpool Street say that this is due to the bank holiday weekend.

In an attempt to placate angry commuters NXEA has said it will lay on an extra train going as far as Ipswich.

MRUA AGM Elections

At the MRUA AGM held on Monday 18th May the following officers were elected:

Chairman - Neil Skinner

Vice Chairman - Derek Monnery

Treasurer - Val Pretty