A new Community Rail Officer has been appointed to the East Suffolk Lines, and the community organisation hopes it will do even more to keep rural rail lines thriving.

A former train conductor, Claire Kendall, will focus on promoting the railway between Ipswich and Lowestoft and Felixstowe and working with the communities around the line for mutual benefit.

The role is overseen by the Community Rail Partnership board which is funded by Greater Anglia, Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

Claire has a degree in Health and Social Care, and was a train conductor for Greater Anglia, before taking a career break. She is also an active champion of good causes, volunteering to help raise money for and outdoor gym at her local park and ‘adopting’ Needham Market station, helping to ensure that the station was well looked after and met customers needs.

Claire can be contacted on Twitter – @eastsuffolkline

What did the officials say?

Claire says:

“I’m excited to get started in the new role and meeting interested parties along the East Suffolk Lines to make the lines successful and sustainable, as they are very important links for the communities they serve.

“I’m hoping to bring the idea of using the local rail line to a wider audience and also work within the community – such as with schoolchildren to help educate them about the railway and safety – and would also like to hear from anyone else who has any ideas or suggestions about how the railway and community can work together.”

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