Published on: Monday, 18 July 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Lowestoft is set to receive a boost after plansfor a new visitor information centre at the rail station were given the greenlight.
The project, which is led by the EastSuffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership (ESLCRP), will see a new volunteer-runvisitor information centre, Community Rail office, and station adopters’ roomat the station.
A working group - consisting of ESLCRP, AbellioGreater Anglia, Waveney MP Peter Aldous, Suffolk County and Waveney DistrictCouncil, Network Rail, the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership andLowestoft Vision - was formed last year to help re-connect the station with thetown centre.
The project was backed by Waveney MP PeterAldous, who recently discussed the exciting plans for the station in the HouseOf Commons, with Rail Minister Claire Perry agreeing to meet with the projectteam to discuss ideas and further funding opportunities.
Train operator Abellio Greater Angliaagreed to allow use of some station buildings for the creation of a newvolunteer-run Visitor Information centre. The appeal for volunteers is underwayand the information centre will open once they have been appointed.
Martin Halliday, Community Rail Officer forthe ESLCRP said: “Lowestoft has a unique asset in the station; its centrallocation, history and regular services are now set to be complemented by theopening of a new visitor information facility and the formation of a dedicatedstation adoption team. There are someexciting ideas currently being discussed and we are looking forward to workingwith various parties to realise these aspirations, helping to release the enormouspotential of this historic site.”
Paul Oxley, Stakeholder Manager at AbellioGreater Anglia, said: “We are very pleased to be working with ESLCRP on thisproject deliver a facility to boost the town's tourism, and would like to thankeveryone who has been involved so far. Around half a million passengers use thestation each year, which serves direct lines to both Ipswich and Norwich withonward connections to London, the midlands and north.”