Essex & South Suffolk CRP Celebrates Adoption of Fifth Branch Line
Today, the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (ESSCRP) celebrated the adoption of the Braintree Line, now to be known as the Flitch Line, includes Braintree, Braintree Freeport, Cressing, White Notley and Witham stations.
The ESSCRP will now begin working with user representatives and Parish and Town Councils to promote the branch lines, improve the facilities and ultimately, increase the usage of the line.
The partnership is now looking to recruit volunteer, known as ‘Station Adopters’ for Braintree, Braintree Freeport, Cressing and White Notley. The Station Adopters would work closely with the partnership to introduce improvements to the stations appearance and functionality, which could include gardens, seating or shelters. The aim is to make using the stations a more pleasurable experience for passengers and encourage a more user friendly and safer environment.
Cllr Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, Essex County Council said: “Community rail partnerships are a great way for communities to get involved in local facilities, and make improvements which will benefit all station users, whether it’s for commuting or leisure.
“There are many attractions and walks which can be accessed from the Flitch Line, including the John Ray walk, Cressing Temple, the Flitch Way and Great Notley Country Park. I hope that this, alongside the events the ESSCRP will be running, will raise awareness of the line and encourage more people to use it.”
Cllr Janet Money, Chairman of Braintree District Council said: “Today’s launch marks a wonderful new era for the Braintree to Witham rail link. Local volunteers will have the opportunity to work together with the railway industry to ensure more people can enjoy this wonderful route and discover and explore the many attractions and unspoilt countryside along the way. I wish the project every success.”
Andrew Goodrum, National Express East Anglia’s Customer Services Director said:
“I’m pleased to see the ESSCRP going from strength to strength and expanding to include the Braintree branch line. Now five branch lines will benefit from the input of the community rail partnership, which works hard to promote the railway and to improve the facilities and usage of our local branch lines. The new Braintree line guide is a great example of this and I am sure it will encourage more people to get out and about exploring this attractive and historic area.”
For more information on the partnership, the branch lines and how to volunteer, visit www.esscrp.org.uk
Notes for editors
- The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP) includes; Essex County Council, Braintree District Council, National Express East Anglia, Colchester Borough Council, Tendering District Council, Network Rail, Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council and Chelmsford Borough Council
