James Wild MP is encouraging constituents to sign petition to back bid to restore King's Lynn to Hunstanton railway as part of government £500 million Restoring Railways Fund.
Next month is the deadline for Norfolk County Council and James to make a fresh submission to the final round of the £500m Restoring Railways Fund. James is supporting calls from Cllr. Andrew Jamieson for emails and letters of support for the project ahead of the deadline for submissions on March 5.
The Department for Transport has already approved 25 other schemes and will provide up to £50,000 to successful projects to help fund transport and economic studies and create a business case.
A petition for the new, fast rail link has already been signed by 6,200 supporters.
Commenting Cllr. Jamieson said: “It would get our young people to employment in Cambridge without having to move home, and our elderly and sick to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a much faster time. Tourists could visit the area without constantly jamming up the A149 road in their cars. People moving to the area would also be better served as the recent explosion in new housing shows no sign of slowing down.”
Last year, the county council commissioned engineering consulting firm WSP to conduct a study with input from the King’s Lynn-Hunstanton Railway Campaign (KLHRC) which has formed the basis of the application.
Commenting James said: "I encourage all constituents to sign the petition and to express their support for the restoration of the railway. A new rail link would improve connectivity, boost investor confidence as well as increase business and employment opportunities. It could help encourage young people to stay in the area rather than move away for work by providing a fast, reliable transport link between North West Norfolk and Cambridge, which continues to sustain one of the strongest and most successful economies in Europe."
Since elected, James has supported the restoration of the Lynn to Hunstanton railway. In November 2020, the Rail Minister wrote to James and said that the proposal has potential and may be suitable for Ideas Funding in principle. The assessment noted that there was good alignment with local and national policies including the Towns Deal, good understanding of proposed route and connected communities, links to opportunities for jobs, tourism, decongestion and emissions benefits. James has been working with Norfolk County Council, KLHRC, and others to work on feedback for the March submission.
Please email your support to KLHRC at [email protected] and sign the petition at www.hunstantonrail.org.uk
