Train routes in East Suffolk now have a dedicated Community Rail Officer to make sure that the rural railway lines in the area continue to thrive.

Thalia Rushmore has joined the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, which is a community organisation, to work with the communities along the lines between Ipswich, Lowestoft, and Felixstowe and to promote the railway for their mutual benefit.

The aim of the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership is to bring together representatives of the local transport authority, local planning authorities, Greater Anglia, Network Rail, and a wide range of local community groups.

Collectively, the overall desire is to deliver increased patronage and revenue to secure the future of the Ipswich to Lowestoft and the Ipswich to Felixstowe railway line.

New trains are now providing a regular, high-quality service for communities and customers along the line, and Thalia will be spreading the work to maximise the positive impact of their introduction.

She knows the area well as she comes from Woodbridge and loves to explore the Suffolk coast. She previously worked in hospitality and enjoys gardening. Thalia can be contacted via Twitter @eastsuffolkline

Thalia’s role as Community Rail Officer is overseen by the Community Rail Partnership board, which is comprised of and funded by Greater Anglia, Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council, and Ipswich Borough Council.

As well as helping to promote the branch lines encouraging integrated transport links from stations, the board also organises a programme of activities such as guided walks and helping to fund station improvements.

Thalia says, “I’m excited to get started in the new role and meet interested parties along the East Suffolk Lines with the aim of making 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 work with partners to develop initiatives to enable to the railway and community to work and improve together.”