Passengers making the journey from Sudbury to London have to change trains at Marks Tey. But according to campaigners who want a footbridge or underpass with lifts installed at the station, it is extremely difficult for wheelchair users, young families with children, people with disabilities or those carrying heavy luggage to gain access to ongoing trains.
Mr Cartlidge, from Assington, near Sudbury, initially raised concerns about the service last August after a connecting train left Marks Tey station while passengers were still on a footbridge trying to get to the platform. He pledged to make it a priority if he was elected.
On Friday he met Hannah Briggs, Network Rail’s public affairs manager for the Anglia region, to discuss services from Sudbury and from Manningtree.
He said: “We discussed a range of issues affecting Sudbury commuters including line speed, which if we were able to improve even slightly could potentially add vital minutes to the Marks Tey interchange and thereby reduce the likelihood of missed connections.
“I was advised that Network Rail could undertake a feasibility study of the line and track to see what technical changes could be made to increase the current speed restriction of 60mph, and I will be pressing for this.”
At Marks Tey, they surveyed the bridge and discussed the possibility of a lift being installed. Mr Cartlidge said he was advised that while there is no current plan for this, it could be included in the new Anglian franchise. He now intends to write to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to request that the installation of a lift system or underpass at Marks Tey be made a requirement of the new franchise.
Also discussed was the suggestion of a direct rail line from Sudbury to London. Mr Cartlidge added: “As expected, the emphasis here is on a business case being built in relation to future housing growth in the area.
“I will therefore be discussing this with my Babergh colleagues so that we can look at how to take forward the task of building a solid economic case for a direct line. I’m pleased that Network Rail made clear that they would be happy to assist in this process.”
- Published in the EADT