Transport bosses have welcomed a pledge to upgrade rail infrastructure in the East of England, after years of campaigning.
The Government said the remodelling of the Ely North (pictured) and Haughley Junctions, a vital part of East Anglia’s rail network where five busy lines converge, will be one of the schemes funded by cash saved by scrapping HS2 north of Birmingham.
It added that an enhanced spine route for rail freight will be delivered, allowing an extra six freight trains per day to run to and from the Port of Felixstowe, while passenger services will double on the Ely to King’s Lynn and Ipswich to Peterborough routes.
The Department for Transport gave no date for the work, which was until now an unfunded part of Network Rail’s enhancements pipeline.
On Sunday, transport secretary Mark Harper told the BBC that schemes that the Government had last week said ‘will happen’ as part of its 'Network North' announcement were just ‘examples’ of things that might be done with the money saved.
In a statement, sub-national transport bodies England's Economic Heartland and Transport East said: ‘This has been a longstanding top priority for both England’s Economic Heartland and Transport East and the collective voice of our partnerships has been the reason why the Government has prioritised investment in Ely and Haughley rail junctions over so many other investment needs.
‘Investment in Ely and Haughley Junctions will change the lives of so many people and businesses. It will reduce congestion, boost trade, level up communities right across the UK, increase passenger services and cut carbon emissions.
‘We look forward to working with government to bring this forward as rapidly as possible.’
Dr Nik Johnson, mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: 'So many of us here in the East of England have been championing an upgraded Ely Junction for many years, so today's confirmation that we can at last get to work will be widely welcomed.
‘This is a major investment in vital infrastructure that we have campaigned long and hard for.
‘I and the Combined Authority stand ready to work with government and stakeholders to make today’s announcement a reality for the residents and business of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and beyond.’
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