The easiest way to take part is to attend one our our PUBLIC MEETINGS.
The East Anglian branch of Railfuture has four branch Meetings every year.
These are in different venues around the region, all located near to railway stations. The locations are
normally (but do change, so see the individual meeting details below):
Norwich - Assembly Rooms, Theatre Street -
[click here for info and map].
Most branch meetings start at 2pm, but are occasionally scheduled for the morning (e.g. 10.30am) especially in the
summer, to allow members to use the rest of the day. The branch committee usually meets before or after the
meeting.
There is an invited guest speaker - either from the rail industry or a rail campaigner - on nearly every
occasion. For instance, guests have included speakers from:
* NXEA/'one', WAGN, First Great Eastern, Anglia Railways, Central Trains, East Midlands Trains, Arriva Cross Country
* Strategic Railway Authority, GB Railfreight, Rail Freight Group, East West Rail Link, Rail Passengers Council
* STEER, Ipswich County Council, CAST.IRON, North Norfolk Railway, Green Party, Friends of Brandon Station.
2010 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
Annual General Meeting - Speaker to be confirmed
The branch will hold its AGM on Saturday 27th February 2010 at the Quaker Meeting House, St John's Street, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1SJ in Bury St Edmunds. (The usual venue, the Library, is unavailable because of refurbishment
works.) Details: http://www.burystedmundsquakers.org.
2009 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Mike Lamport on Rail for the Olympics
This branch meeting will be held on 5th December 2009 at the Alex Wood Hall, Norfolk Street, Cambridge,
CB1 2DL at 14:15. Mike Lamport of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will talk about the rail services
provided for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.
2009 - NORWICH MEETING
Venue and speaker to be confirmed
This branch meeting will be held on 26th September 2009 at Chapel Field Methodist Chapel, Chapel Field
Road, Norwich, NR2 1SD. Steven Ashling, who is an Operations Manager for Network Rail in East Anglia, gave a
talk in a personal capacity about local railway infrastructure, its strengths, weaknesses, problems and
prospects. Mr Ashling is also a director of the North Norfolk Railway and has been involved with its project
to reinstate the level crossing at Sheringham. He had just come from a board meeting and was able to reveal
that the NNR's directors had agreed to go ahead with the level crossing for a 2010 opening date subject to
the remaining £30k (approx.) funding being found.
2009 - IPSWICH MEETING
Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at National Express East Anglia
This branch meeting on 20th June 2009 at Ipswich Institute Reading Room and Library saw a return visit by
Jonathan Denby who gave an update on NXEA's curreent performance and then focused on plans for the future,
highlighting the new trains that would be brought into service over the next two years. He pointed out that
a 17% increase in the fleet size at once was unprecedent in the history of the region's railways.
Jonathan took a series of questions from the 25-strong audience, which included the recent introduction
of barriers at Ipswich, delays in the introduction of lifts at Ipswich and the aspiration for improved services
on the East Suffolk Line.
2009 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
Annual General Meeting - Guest Speaker Jonathan Tyler of Passenger Transport Networks
The branch held its AGM on Saturday 28th February 2009 in the Library in Bury St Edmunds. Prior to that there was
an excellent presentation about the Swiss Taktfahrplan rail timetabling system from Jonathan Tyler, who is an
independent railway consultant specialising in strategic timetable research and planning. Copies of his reports
can be found athttp://passengertransportnetworks.co.uk/reports.
His company Passenger Transport Networks is based in York.
2008 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Arriva Cross Country service from Stansted to Birmingham
Gilly White, External Relations Manager for Arriva Cross country, was the speaker at the branch meeting
in Cambridge on Saturday 29th November 2008 at Alex Wood Hall, Norfolk Street, Cambridge, CB1 1LD.
Arriva operate the Stansted to Birmingham route, which was previously part of the Central Trains.
2008 - NORWICH MEETING
John Hillman of East Midland Trains
The branch had its Norwich meeting on Saturday 27th September at 2pm at Chapel Field Methodist
Chapel, Norwich.
John Hillman, then Stakeholder Relaitons at East Midland Trains, spoke about the heavily used - and heavily overcrowded
- Norwich-Liverpool service and the problems caused by a desperate shortage of rolling stock.
2008 - AGM
Chris Wright of OBRAC on the East West Rail Link
As it was not possible to get the normal Bury St.Edmunds venue, the branch held its Annual General Meeting on
Saturday 23rd February at Little St Mary's Church Hall in Cambridge. Chris gave an update on the slow progress of
the East West Rail Line, which seemed to be going through a never-ending loop of studies to prove what everyone
in the audience felt was obvious, that a link was desperately needed.
2007 - AUTUMN MEETING
Replaced by Rail Users' Conference
There was no November/December branch meeting in 2007 because the branch organised the annual
Railfuture Rail Users' Conference at the Maltings in Ely on 3rd November 2007.
2007 - NORWICH MEETING
Andrew Goodrum of 'one' Railway
The branch had its Norwich meeting on Saturday 29th September at 2pm at Chapel Field Methodist
Chapel, Norwich.
Andrew Goodrum of 'one' (since rebanded as National Express East Anglia) spoke about the Norwich-Liverpool
Street inter-city service and the challenges that the TOC faced.
2007 - IPSWICH MEETING
No speaker - branch discussion
The branch meeting took place Institute Reading Room and Library in Ipswich, on Saturday 16th June.
2007 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
No speaker - Annual General Meeting
The branch held its AGM on Saturday 24th February 2007 in the Library in Bury St Edmunds.
2006 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Larry Heyman of First Capital Connect
The branch held its Cambridge meeting on Saturday 2nd December at Little St Mary's Church Hall in Cambridge.
Larry Heyman, Integration and Partnership Manager, of First Capital Connect (FCC) gave the 25 or so people
present a long and detailed explanation of FCC’s first eight months in business. Larry is responsible for
initiating better coordination with other transport modes, as well as nurturing close relationships with local
authorities and user groups.
2006 - NORWICH MEETING
Denise Carlo of STEER (Sustainable Transport Eastern England Region)
The branch held its Norwich meeting on Saturday 9th September at 2pm at the The Greenhouse, 42-46 Bethel Street,
Norwich, NR2 1NR. Tel: 01603 631007.
Denise Carlo of STEER and other organisations was the speaker. She is also the national TAR (Transport
Activists Roundtable) co-ordinator.
2006 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
Friends of Brandon Station
The branch held its Bury St Edmunds meeting on Saturday 24th June at 2pm in the Library. Ken Drane and
Jenny Ahern of Friends of Brandon Station (http://www.brandonstationfriends.com)
were the speakers.
2006 - FELIXSTOWE MEETING
Jonathan Denby from 'one' Railway
The branch held its 2005 AGM in Felixstowe to mark the 'retirement' of Railfuture memebr Charles Taylor
from active campaigning. Jonathan Denby of 'one' Railway was the guest speaker.
2005 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Stuart Towler, Cambridge Station Manager for 'one' Railway
The branch held its Cambridge meeting on Saturday 10th December at Little St Mary's Church Hall in Cambridge.
The station manager at Cambridge spoke about the plans by Ashwell to redevelop the area around Cambridge Station.
2005 - NORWICH MEETING
Mike Young of Norfolk County Council
The branch held its Norwich meeting on Saturday 1st October at 2pm at the Assembly House. Mike Young of Norfolk County
Council gave an update on the county's rail freight strategy.
2005 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
No speaker. Meeting dedicated to planning branch campaigns
The branch held its Bury St Edmunds meeting on Saturday 25th June at 2pm in the Library (upstairs).
2005 - ELY MEETING
Jonathan Denby from 'one' Railway
The branch held its 2005 AGM at the Maltings in Ely on Saturday 19th February 2005 at 2pm. The guest was Jonathan
Denby of 'one' making a welcome return visit to speal to the branch. The venue was shared with STEER (Sustainable
Transport for the East of England Region), who held their AGM at 4pm.
2004 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Lord Berkeley of the Rail Freight Group
Tony Berkeley spoke to more than 40 members of the branch for the first time in five years. The meeting was held on
on Saturday 4th December at 2pm at Little St Mary's Church Hall in Cambridge. His presentation included PowerPoint
slides.
2004 - NORWICH MEETING
User group forum - speaker from each group
The meeting was held at the Assembly House in Norwich on Saturday 18th September. Representatives of various user
groups gave a 5-minute presentation about their concerns and issues with the railways in East Anglia:
* Jerry Alderson of CAST.IRON repeated a 10-minute speech given
to the Rail Passengers Committee for Eastern England;
* Peter Downs, chairman of the March-Wisbech Bramley Line,
revealed positive news from Network Rail and their hopes to lease the northern most 1.5 miles of track very
soon;
* Trevor Garrod of ESTA talked about the Beccles Loop, estimated to cost £6m.
and called upon everyone to focus on the loop and not get sidetracked by alternatives;
* Derek Monnery of Manningtree Users told how patronage on the Grerat Easatern line has grown massively with an
urgent need for infrastructure enhancements;
* John Smock of On-Track (Clacton/Walton users) expressed his serious concerns about the December 2004 timetable;
* Acting-chairman Peter Wakefield led a discussion about the Snoasis Project near Claydon on the GE Mainline;
* John Saunders of Peterborough-Norwich Rail Users (PENRUG), explained some of Central
Trains' recent controversial actions, including changes to fares.
2004 - IPSWICH MEETING
Peter Meades of National Express' 'one' Railway
Peter Meades from 'one' Railway, operated by National Express, spoke to the branch about plans for service
improvements on Saturday 12th June 2004 at 2pm, in the County Library in Ipswich.
2004 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
No speaker - significant branch business
The branch were unable to get a speaker from National Express, then preferred bidder for the Greater [East]
Anglia rail franchise, at the meeting on Saturday 21st February 2004 at 2pm, in the Library in Bury St
Edmunds. As well as the AGM, the branch focused on the GAf service and deafeating the guided bus TWA Order
application submitted by Cambridgeshire County Council.
2003 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Tony Brown of Central Trains
Tony Brown gave an informative talk about the new Citylink rebranding of the Stansted and Norwich train services, and
the improvements that passengers will notice from January 2004 on these trains.
Jerry Alderson, executive from CAST.IRON
Jerry gave a short summary on recent progress on reopening the railway line between Cambridge and St.Ives.
The branch meeting was held at Little St Mary's Church Hall on Saturday 22nd November at 10.30am.
2003 - NORWICH MEETING
Ingo Wagenecht from Green Party in Norwich
Ingo is one of the Green Party's Eastern Region European election candidates. He spoke about various transport
issues with Norwich, including ideas for a tram system.
Jerry Alderson, executive from CAST.IRON
Jerry gave a 50-minute presentation about the Cambridge And St.Ives Railway Organisation.
This meeting was held at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RU on Saturday 20th September
at 10.30am.
This was a new venue, and it is within 10 minutes walk of the railway station entrance. Simply turn right when coming out of the
station, along Thorpe Road, past the Royal Mail and Le Café Maison. It is a very gentle climb. The hotel is on the left. For further
details, see http://www.pc.activehotels.com/THE.
2003 - IPSWICH MEETING
Tim Robinson, Commercial Director of GB Railfreight
This meeting was at the earlier time of 10.30am on Saturday 7th June, allowing members the chance to take a train to Lowestoft,
Felixstowe or elsewhere after the meeting, which will end by 1pm. The meeting was held in the large room upstairs on the first
floor using the entrance on Old Foundry Road.
Tim Robinson, commercial director of GB Railfreight, gave a very interesting and warmly received speech. Details of what he
said can be found in Snippets 118 (under "Freight").
2003 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
Journalist Christian Wolmar
Respected journalist, columnist and author Christian Wolmar - he of Broken Rails, Down the Tube and Stagecoach
amongst other books - spoke to around 40 people about the state of the railways, including the London
Underground. A few weeks earlier he had written an article for the New Statesman titled "Wrong kind of Prime
Minister on the line", which accused Tony Blair of ignoring transport issues.
2002 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
No guest - discussion about Government's airport strategy
Shortly before this meeting on 9th November, the government launched its "predict and provide" consultation
document on the supposed need for massive airport expansion in the south east of England (SERAS). Comments had
to be submitted imminently.
The airport expansion strategy has many negative impacts on rail transport and the environment. Branch
vice-chariman, and CPRE transport spokesman, Ivan Ivanovic led a discussion on the issues of airport
expansion.
2002 - IPSWICH MEETING
Barry Woodgett of Ipswich Council Council
Barry spoke on 13th July about the transport strategy produced by Ipswich County Council, and what this meant
for the rail and bus services in the short and longer term.
Barry is also a volunteer on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
2002 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
John Brodribb of STEER and RPC
John Brodribb, who is a member of the Strategic Transport for the East of England Region organisation and also
the Rail Passengers Committee for the East of England, gave an entertaining talk on 23rd February about rail
issues in the branch area.
2001 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
No speaker - debate on guided busway
At a meeting entiutled "CHUMMS...a discussion and branch action" on 17th November, the branch discussed at length
the progress of the Cambridge-Huntingdon "rapid transit" system (a guided busway), which threatens the Cambridge
to St.Ives railway line.
This was also branch chairman Peter Wakefield's last meeting before starting his two-year work project in
Africa.
2001 - IPSWICH MEETING
Richard Stuart of the Strategic Rail Authority
Richard Stuart from the Strategic Rail Authority gave a presentation to around 20 members at
the Railfuture branch meeting in Ipswich on 29th September.
He talked about the current work of the SRA in East Anglia, including franchise replacement and the
East-West rail link.
2001 - NORWICH MEETING
Geoff Gowing of North Norfolk Railway
At the time of the meeting on 9th June, the North Norfolk Railway faced eviction from its Sheringham Station as
it was being sold by its owners. Geoff talked about the station appeal, and the future plans for the railway. The
NNR was able to buy the station a few weeks after the meeting, thanks to people supporting the appeal and a
lottery grant.
Jonathan Denby, Corporate Affairs Director of Anglia Railways
Jonathan has worked in the rail industry since 1990 and was previously Anglia’s Business Manager for Planning
& Corporate Affairs. As Director, he is responsible for leading the company’s public relations strategy,
service development opportunities and franchise compliance issues with the Strategic Rail Authority.
2001 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
No guest speaker
Branch Secretary Nick Dibben presented a slide show on 24th February of his recent trip to the United States and
Mexico. He talked in length about the railways that he visited.
2000 - IPSWICH MEETING
Bob Breakwell of First Great Eastern
This meeting took place a month after the Hatfield accident, and FGE managing director Bob Breakwell, a career
railwayman, spoke informally about the state of the railways.
2000 - NORWICH MEETING
Chris Hayward of East West Rail Consortium
Chris Hayward of Ipswich Borough Council, who is the project officer for the East West Rail Link consortium,
gave a presentation about the East West Rail project at the Assembly House on 30th September.
2000 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Public Meeting on Cambridge to St.Ives Railway Line
This special meeting on 17th June had only one purpose, to discuss the use of the Cambridge to St.Ives railway
line. The branch chairman, vice-chairman and secretary each spoke about the major transport issues to the
sub-region and explained how the railway offtered, in their opinion, the best solution. Over 100 people attended,
which resulted in many people writing to polticians in support of the railway.
2000 - BURY ST EDMUNDS MEETING
Malcolm Hill of Cambridge Sudbury Rail Renewal Association
The Reverend Malcolm Hill spoke on 26th February at the Library about the proposal to reinstate the railway
between Cambridge and Sudbury (in Suffolk) which had been closed in 1968.
1999 - CAMBRIDGE MEETING
Speaker from WAGN
A representative from WAGN spoke to the branch meeting at Little St. Mary's Church on 27th November.
