The Haven Gateway Partnership is  backing a campaign to secure improvements to the Great East Mainline - London, Liverpool Street to Norwich that services Colchester, Manningtree, Ipswich and Stowmarket as well as a number of local branch lines to Harwich, Clacton , Felixstowe and Woodbridge.

The Partnership argues that improvements to this line  - which services a number of key growth points within the Haven Gateway is vital to national economic success - and to bring it into line with the needs of 21^st Century customer.

The Partnership supports six transport priorities which need to be addressed:

• Faster Journey times including reducing conflict between freight and passenger  
• More carriage capacity     
• Greater investment in track infrastructure         
• Better quality travel experiences - (eg provision of Wi-fi services, carriage cleanliness and increased stopping at Stratford)
• Improved station environs and facilities   
• Longer term franchise stability        

Haven Gateway Chief Executive David Ralph said:

"The Haven Gateway Partnership is committed to delivering sustainable economic and housing growth and a Great Eastern Main line - fit for the 21^st century customer - is a vital component of that vision. Colchester and Ipswich are two of the fastest growing towns in England and the needs to deliver prosperity to these towns will be vital to the country's recovery from recession, driving economic innovation and job creation."

Councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning said, "I welcome the backing of the Haven Gateway to campaign for rail improvements on the Great Eastern Main Line. We are committed to working with Norfolk and Essex to bring about more improvements on this  line, and the more pressure we can put on the better. I personally have met with the National Express regarding their services and with the Chairman of National Rail to discuss the issues of the East Coast mainline, the Beccles Loop and Lowestoft Railway Station."

Over the coming months, partners in the campaign  - launched at Shaping Norfolk's Future annual conference in Norwich on the 20^th November 2009 - will work collaboratively on a series of campaigning activities to make the economic and technical case for improvements. This includes a report publishing the economic value of additional capacity and a parliamentary seminar discussing the infrastructure needs of key regional towns.