Published on: Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Railpassengers on the Norwich to London mainline can find out about the delights ofthe Waveney Valley as they pass through Diss station, thanks to a newly-installedphotographic exhibition along the platforms.
Largephotographs of iconic and well-loved locations in the Waveney Valley (such asDiss Market and mere, the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, EllinghamMill, Eye, Somerleyton, the Angles Way footpath, Billingford Mill, Loddon &Chedgrave, Bressingham Steam Museum, Beccles, Bungay Castle and Harleston and its antiques market) have beeninstalled along both platforms to inspire an increase in tourism and travel tothe area, promoting this beautiful destination to people as they pass throughon the train.
Theproject - a partnership between Abellio Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council,South Norfolk District Council, Diss Town Council, the Waveney Valley TownsTeam and the Diss Rail Station Group - is the first to be delivered under theDiss Station Travel Plan which, along with the exhibition, will be launched atthe station at 11.30am on Friday 19th August.
Tony Palmer, Chair ofthe Diss Rail Station Group, who came up with the idea for the platform photoscommented, “I am delighted to see the installation of pictures of the WaveneyValley along Diss Station. They providea bright ambience for commuting passengers. I look forward to an increase intourism and rail travel, inspired by the display of pictures promoting theWaveney Valley and visits to this beautiful destination. My thanks to all who made this happen.”
Cllr Martin Wilby, Chairman of Environment Development &Transport at Norfolk County Council, commented: “These photos brighten up theplatforms for the many thousands of passengers that use and pass through Diss railstation, while promoting not only Diss as a destination but the whole WaveneyValley as a place to visit and explore with something for all ages.”
Lastyear, Abellio Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, South Norfolk DistrictCouncil and Diss Town Council started work on the Diss Station Travel Plan,launching a major study to investigate how customers access Diss station andwhether improvements could be made, leading to the creation of an Action Planfor the station.
Geraint Hughes, Abellio Greater Anglia’s PartnershipsManager, commented: “The launch of the Diss Station Travel Plan represents theculmination of a year’s study to find out how we can improve access to and theexperience of Diss station for passengers, encouraging more people to considertravelling by rail. The Waveney Valley exhibition is the first project that wehave delivered and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners tobring about further improvements to benefit passengers and the community.”