Group statement: response to the rejection of our petition for a feasibility study into the resurrection of the Lynn and Dereham Railway.

Petition and response link: https://norfolkcc.cmis.uk.com/.../Consideration-of-a...

The Middleton Towers Restoration Group are working tirelessly to restore the derelict platform buildings of the former station in Leziate. Our intention is for the buildings to be used as a tea room and heritage railway museum to pay tribute to the former Lynn and Dereham Railway.

We understand the reasons behind the council’s decision to prioritise other projects, but we will continue to campaign for a feasibility study for partial or full reinstatement of the Lynn and Dereham Railway, with our campaign initially being focussed on reinstatement to Swaffham.

We believe that a three-pillar rail transport strategy would be best suited to the future needs of West Norfolk.

Partial or full reinstatement of rail passenger and freight services between King’s Lynn and Dereham.

Full reinstatement of the King’s Lynn docks railway for freight.

Full reinstatement of the South Lynn freight railway, which used to serve the sugar beet factory, the site of which is now occupied by Palm Paper.

The docks railway and the South Lynn branch would work effectively in tandem, as goods produced in the area could be sent to the docks in large containers by rail, as opposed to numerous HGVs. Both lines are currently mothballed and reinstatement would not present many challenges.

Reinstatement of the aforementioned routes would present an incredible opportunity to incentivise local large enterprises to opt for rail freight over road transportation. It would also incentivise new manufacturing enterprises to move in to the area.

The dualling of the A47 presents a window for transport corridor integration that may not recur for decades. Rail reinstatement to Swaffham along the A47 would not only reduce HGV traffic on the A47, but also provide the facilities for large capacity rail freight transport to promote business growth whilst reducing CO2 emissions.

Outside of our immediate focus, our group supports the King’s Lynn to Hunstanton railway campaign. Out of our county, our group also supports rail reinstatement between Wisbech and March, but also a more ambitious proposal for rail reinstatement between Wisbech and Watlington.