Our local rail network has a vitally important role to play if we are to turbocharge a ‘Rural Renaissance’ of local business and enterprise, as well as spread jobs, opportunities and prosperity to EVERYONE living in our local Mid Norfolk communities.

That’s why, over the years, I have been so active in promoting rural rail station regeneration, including the importance of finally addressing access issues at our local stations (specifically at Platform 2 of Wymondham Station).

Last month, I convened an urgent, virtual summit with key stakeholders involved in Wymondham Station and made it clear to them in no uncertain terms that we must see action on step free access to Platform 2 as quickly as possible – and as the first part of a wider regeneration package for the entire site. While I welcomed the positive responses from all involved, I stressed that they were not enough on their own and have set some clear, tangible actions that I want to see completed ahead of another virtual summit before Christmas.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to meeting with the local Wymondham Station Access Group to discuss the conversations to date and hear from them first-hand. Their views are vital to this process.

I have also today written to the new Secretary of State at the Department for Transport to impress upon him the strategic significance of Wymondham Station and the need to transform it into a vibrant 21st century hub and ‘gateway’ to Wymondham and the Norwich Research Cluster (with a resolution to the lack of step free access at Platform 2 the vital first step in that regeneration vision).

Rest assured, this remains a key campaign of mine moving forward.

To stay up to date with all my work on this issue, please visit my website campaign page here.