Norfolk Rail Campaign: Chloe Smith leads lobbying of new Transport Secretary, gains praise for campaign

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, last night led the rail campaign once again, presenting the East Anglian Rail Prospectus to the new Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP.  He praised the campaign as “impressive” for its prompt call and unity across four counties.

Chloe was accompanied by five other MPs from neighbouring counties.  38 Members of Parliament support the Prospectus along with the sweep of the region’s Local Enterprise Partnerships, councils, businesses and more.  New Anglia, Norfolk and Suffolk’s LEP, wrote the document with help from Greater Anglia and MPs.

Chloe said:

“It’s important to make sure that the new Secretary knows what we are asking for on people’s behalf.  I asked for a meeting straightaway to present the Prospectus before the Norwich-London franchise process starts in the autumn.

“He listened and praised our campaign for getting stuck in early and acting together.

“We put the case for strategic investment in the East Anglia rail network over the long term.  We believe that East Anglia faces a once-in-a-generation opportunity right now to boost rail services for passengers, businesses and our economy through the combination of the new Greater Anglia rail franchise and Network Rail’s funding periods.  We got early successes in the rail statement in July – including investment for Ely North – but the campaign continues now with focus on the Norwich-London line.

“We believe there is a powerful case that with appropriate investment for better rail links – especially between our key science and technology clusters in Norwich, Cambridge and Ipswich – East Anglia can gain substantial economic growth.  We want East Anglia to get the rail deal it deserves.”