Peak period fast trains between Norwich and London, calling only at Ipswich and Colchester, are being demanded by three MPs who are dissatisfied with the quality and level of service.

By Graham Dines

Peak period fast trains between Norwich and London, calling only at Ipswich and Colchester, are being demanded by three MPs who are dissatisfied with the quality and level of service.

In a hard hitting 40 page report, the MPs - Richard Bacon (Conservative), Ian Gibson (Labour) and Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) - set out changes they want One Railway and Network Rail to make to the East Anglia main line.

They want the “outdated” rolling stock to be upgraded, and an urgent review of automated half-barriers at level crossings on all sections of the route where trains travel at 100mph.

Currently, there is only one non stop train in each direction between Ipswich and London. All other services make multiple stops and since One took over the route from previous operators, the number of off-peak trains has been cut from four to three an hour.

The MPs also want passengers who are forced to stand because of overcrowding to have the right to take available seats in first class “with no questions asked.”

One and Network Rail have been told that the MPs “have serious doubts about their ability to maintain a reliable service,” and if there is a continual series of delays they will ask ministers to step in and review the franchise arrangements.