Greater Anglia has now submitted a bid for funding in order to help improve access to the Cambridge-bound platform that is at Wymondham station.

The company has put in a proposal for Access for All funding in the month of October under a new Government funding programme. This programme is for schemes to improve station arrangements of accessibilities.

It is part of a coordinated, partnership approach that they have with Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council to try and improve the access to the westbound platform at the station.

Norfolk County Council is in fact also seeking funding under its Transforming Cities bid, while South Norfolk District Council is seeking funding from some other sources.

It is hoped that by taking forward three initiatives that are separated, enough funding can collectively be secured to implement a scheme that will be able to create better accessibility to the station.

The project does still require support from Network Rail and the company that is the owner of the adjoining land, however both parties have previously pledged their commitment and assistance in making these improvements happen – with Network Rail agreeing to shorten its siding to facilitate the scheme if funding is secured.

With some new trains already operating on many Greater Anglia services on the line, the start of the direct service between Norwich and Stansted Airport in the month of December and all of Greater Anglia’s services on the line being due to be switched over to new train operation within the next few months, it is expected that the route will continue to see sustained increases in the number of passengers that use it.

A project group involving all partners involved and the MP for the area George Freeman have been working together for some time to try and make progress.

Now a number of opportunities have in fact been identified. This has lead to a coordinated effort involving parallel funding bids in order to fulfil the project.

It may be a few months before the outcomes of the bids become known, but all parties that are involved are very committed to making the initiative happen as soon as possible, by pursuing all available funding avenues that are available.

What did the officials say?

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Greater Anglia said:

“Combined with the extra housing planned locally and the impressive new accessibility characteristics of the new trains, there is an even greater impetus from Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council, supported by Network Rail, to try and secure the funding needed to tackle the issue.

“We are committed to improving access at Wymondham station as soon as possible.

“Our Access for All bid and collaborative approach with Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council is deliberately designed to maximise the chances of securing the necessary funding as quickly as we can.”

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