Combined Authority look to improve rail and road services in region

At the meeting, held on January 10, the Mayor shared his priorities on improving rail services in our county. He discussed the proposals to upgrade Ely Junction, which would increase the frequency of passenger services at places like Peterborough, Ipswich and King's Lynn and give people more options on their journeys. If Ely Junction is improved, it would also allows extra freight trains from Felixstowe to travel to distribution centres across the country.

The meeting, which Dr Nik described as "motivating", comes after the recent government announcement in the English Devolution White Paper, which proposes for Mayoral Authorities (like the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority) to gain more control over rail services on the coming years. At the meeting were Dr Nik, Combined Authority Assistant Transport Director, Tim Bellamy, and Steve Helfet, Deputy Director, Rail Operations and Jennifer Webber, Head of External Engagement. The Office of Rail and Road are an independent organisation.

They are charged with  regulating performance and efficiency on England's railways and roads. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: "It was a motivating meeting and the start of a positive relationship with the Office of Rail and Road, a key player in achieving the improvements we want to see in both rail and road that will give residents more choice over the way they travel." The Combined Authority to meet again with the Office of Rail and Road to discuss road projects in the region.

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