A reminder that the Railfuture East Anglian branch's AGM is this Saturday in Bury St Edmunds.

The Snippets are a little too focused on the Cambridge area. News from other parts of East Anglia would be welcome. Please send news by e-mail to the editors, or press cuttings by post to Nick Dibben.

GUIDED BUSWAYS

Plans submitted to build guided busway into Cambridge could scupper Addenbrooke's Hospital station

According the Cambridge Evening News on 21st February, Cambridge Rapid Transit System (CRTS), a subsidiary of a Northampton-based company, has applied for planning permission to build a guided busway along the dismantled railway line behind Fawcett Primary School, with a spur to Addenbrooke's Hospital, before continuing to Cambridge Railway Station and into Downing Street in Cambridge.

The spur to the Hospital - if given approval - would weaken the case for building a rail station there.

Mike Kendrick, CRTS director, claims that the busway "combines the flexibility of a bus with the reliability and frequency of a tram". It will require approval from the Cambridge City Council and central government, and would not be expected to open before 2004.

There will be an exhibition at Trumpington Village Hall and Addenbrooke's in March.

BUDGET PREDICTIONS

Further reduction in petrol prices expected

All motorists are expected to benefit from a short-term cut in unleaded fuel duty from Budget day on 7 March. In November 2000, the Chancellor announced a cut of at least 2p a litre in ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP), but all unleaded petrol will be reduced until 14th June 2001, owing to a delay in the supply of ULSP.

BBC News report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1182000/1182704.stm.

RAIL AWARDS

Anglia Railways wins train operator of the year 2000 award

As well as Train Operator of the Year, Anglia was runner-up in two other awards: integrated transport and on-train innovation developments.

LAST TRAIN TO WISBECH?

Special train on Wisbech and Middleton Towers branches

Saturday 12th May is likely to see the last train on the now-mothballed March-Wisbech line. Hertfordshire Railtours have been given permission by Railtrack to run a special train, the "Fenman", on this line.

The tour starts from London Kings Cross and calls at Potters Bar (for the M25) and Stevenage. After Wisbech, the special train stops at Ely for a 2-hour break, then travels to King's Lynn for a trip down the Middleton Towers branch before returning to London. Standard fare is £26.50 (Junior £13.25).

Further details from Hertfordshire Railtours, PO Box 125, Knebworth, Herts SG3 6UA, UK Tel: 01438 812125 Fax: 01438 812122.

Web-site: http://www.traintrips.co.uk.

FARES

Anglia's new "Later you go, the less you pay" fares

To encourage travellers outside of peak hours, Anglia have introduced cheaper return fares to London if you leave after 09:30 and return from London after 19:00. Tickets are sent through the post and must be ordered five days ahead.

Details: http://www.angliarailways.co.uk/latest-information/news-detail.asp?id=99.

EAST SUFFOLK LINE

Labour wants to improve rail services between Ipswich and Lowestoft

Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate Nigel Gardner for Suffolk Coastal has written to SRA chairman Sir Alastair Morton and appealed for extra cash to boost rail services on the East Suffolk line from Ipswich to Lowestoft.

BITTERN LINE MINIBUS CONNECTIONS

Grant awarded for summer minibus service to connect with Bittern line stations

The Bittern Line Partnership in conjunction with Anglia Railways, the Bure Valley Railway, and the National Trust has been awarded a grant by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACORP) to set up a rail and bus link with through fares from Norwich to tourist attractions such as Blickling Hall inclusive of admission (and a free cup of tea!).

The new Summer minibus service will run on Wednesdays and Sundays in July and August and also Easter Sunday and Monday from stations along the Norwich-Sheringham line, which will serve local tourist attractions.

Tickets and times from the station ticket office at Norwich or from Anglia Railways on 01603 764776.

Bittern line web-site: http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/transport/public/bittern.htm.

MORE REACTION TO CHUMMS PROPOSALS

Rail-friendly parish of Papworth St Agnes views on CHUMMS proposals

The parish of Papworth St Agnes, which would be affected by one of the proposed CHUMMS road schemes support a modified version of strategy 2's road scheme but also fully support an immediate reinstatement of the rail link and question the viability of a guided busway. They have added a lot of information to their recently launched web-site to promote their views:

Web-site: http://www.papworthstagnes.org.uk/CHUMMS/index.htm.

This excellent web-site has a huge amount of factual information about the A14, including:

Scanned images of articles and letters from the press - http://www.papworthstagnes.org.uk/press/index.htm
A14 accident figures and road details - http://www.papworthstagnes.org.uk/CHUMMS/A14%20answer%2011022001.htm
Parish formal response to CHUMMS - http://www.papworthstagnes.org.uk/CHUMMS/CHUMMSResponse4.htm.

Summary of local government responses to CHUMMS proposals

The following summary is from the Histon and Impington Village web-site:
* Both Histon and Impington Parish Councils supported option 4 road scheme, but heavy rail from option 3
* South Cambridgeshire District Council voted for "on-line widening" (option 2)
* Huntingdonshire District Council and the County Council opted for the "southern route" (option 4)
* No Council supported the northern route (option 3) for roads
* Cambridge City Council didn't like any of the options
* Cambs County Council supported the guided bus option. 

NORFOLK ORBITAL RAILWAY

Feasibility study says Norfolk Orbital Railway would be popular

The first of the series of feasibility studies found that 90% of the surveyed people supported the link and two thirds were strongly in favour. Ninety-five percent of businesses approved, expecting it to boost the local economy. A copy of the main findings are available by post from The Railway Institute, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2DA. By giving £15 you can help fund the engineering feasibility study, and will receive a 17-page information pack and map; all future 2001 news updates; a summary of feasibility studies and an invitation to attend meetings to discuss the project. Cheques payable to Holt, Melton Constable and Fakenham Railway Company at the above address.

New web-site to promote Norfolk Orbital Railway

David Bill, a founder member of the M&GN society, has launched a web-site promoting the creation of railway link from Dereham to Holt via Melton Constable. It includes the latest news and a map of the proposed route. There is a guest book where supportive comments would be appreciated.

Web-site: http://www.norfolk-orbital-railway.co.uk
E-mail group: norfolk-orbital-railway-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

PRESERVED RAILWAYS

Norwich to York train to visit Mid-Norfolk Railway on Saturday 21st April

NENTA Traintours will be operating the first through locomotive-hauled passenger train from Dereham (Mid-Norfolk Railway) onto the national rail network for 20 years. The train will be starting from Norwich and calling at Wymondham, then travelling to Dereham and back before continuing to Ely, March, Peterborough and finally York.

Fares range between £42.75 and £97.75. Further details from NENTA Traintours, Railtour House, 10 Buxton Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 0ED. Or phone 01692 406152 (9:00am - 9:30pm 7 days a week).