►►Suffolk MPs, county councillors, Ipswich borough councillors and Railfuture members greet the 10.07 from Lowestoft as it arrives at Ipswich on the first day of the hourly service. Picture: Peter Wakefield ◀◀

A new hourly service began this month, December 2012, between Ipswich and Lowestoft after nearly 30 years of campaigning.

The hourly service between the two largest towns in Suffolk was introduced by Greater Angia after a passing loop was completed at Beccles at a cost of £4 million.

The scheme, jointly funded by Network Rail and Suffolk County Council, has brought back into use a previously disused platform at Beccles station. Track and signalling works have also been carried out, as part of a wider £21 million project to re-signal the East Suffolk Line in order to improve reliability and performance.

Previously the service was restricted to every two hours because there was single track between Halesworth and Oulton Broad, meaning that trains could not pass each other for more than 16 miles.

The improved service is expected to give an economic boost to the market towns of Beccles and Halesworth.

Former Railfuture chairman and East Anglian branch chairman Steve Wilkinson commented: “We were campaigning for this 28 years ago. It’s great that we have at last achieved our aim.”

The Railfuture-affiliated East Suffolk Travellers Association mounted exhibitions in November and December as part of a campaign to promote the improved service.

Steve Knight, Network Rail general manager, said: “This upgrade will make a real difference to people living in the area and will help to boost the local economy."

Information from Peter Wakefield and Greater Anglia