After an award-winning year in which it was named most improved station in East Anglia, adopters of Beccles railway station are already looking to 2018.

East Anglian Daily Times: Beccles station adopters Nicky and Graham Elliott, Dave Mills and Anneke van den Berg, earlier this year when they picked up the award for Most Improved Station. Picture: Courtesy of Dave Mills.Beccles station adopters Nicky and Graham Elliott, Dave Mills and Anneke van den Berg, earlier this year when they picked up the award for Most Improved Station. Picture: Courtesy of Dave Mills. (Image: David Mills)

In 2017, the station enjoyed a landmark year, with a vast array of improvements earning it the plaudits of rail provider Greater Anglia.

Now, adopters are looking to advance the station even further next year, with a variety of different projects earmarked for the site.

The first of these is the addition of a brand new station sign, a two metre long blue enamel homage to the original one, which was removed in the 1950s.

East Anglian Daily Times: A variety of exciting projects have been earmarked for the Beccles railway station site in 2018. Picture: Nick Butcher.A variety of exciting projects have been earmarked for the Beccles railway station site in 2018. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: �archant2016)

Graham Elliott, one of the adopters, said: “We are hoping to have it installed within the next few weeks and it really will look quite spectacular.

“The sign will be placed on the original posts, which are already in place having been restored this year.”

The sign is the first in a long line of improvements earmarked for the station, with Mr Elliott having high hopes for the year.

East Anglian Daily Times: Beccles station adopters Dave Mills, Nicky Elliott, Anneke van den Berg and Graham Elliott. Picture: Courtesy of Graham Elliott.Beccles station adopters Dave Mills, Nicky Elliott, Anneke van den Berg and Graham Elliott. Picture: Courtesy of Graham Elliott. (Image: David Mills)

He said: “We are hoping 2018 will be a big year for the station and we have lots of projects to try and make this happen.

“We were very proud to be named most improved station and while it will be a big ask, we would love to win it for a second year running.”

A big area Mr Elliott is hoping will be focussed on is the forecourt, which he is hoping will be developed next year.

He said: “The forecourt is one of the first impressions you get of Beccles so we really want to see it improve.

“We want to make the station one of the jewels of the town, rather than giving the negative first impression it did a few years ago.”

A further improvement that has been touted is a toucan crossing, which is set to be added to George Westwood Way by Suffolk County Council.

Mr Elliott also indicated the possibility of a cycle hire scheme being introduced at the station, allowing rail users to immediately hire a bicycle for their visit to the town.

• What improvements would you like to see at the station? Email your thoughts to eadtletters@archant.co.uk