Times have changed since the controversial Beeching closures back in the 1960s. For too long, we have seen investment in our commuter lines, but not enough into lines that open up our rural towns and villages to unlock growth.

Here in Mid Norfolk, I have long advocated the full reopening of the Wymondham to Dereham Railway line for regular commuter services and I remain firmly committed to working towards achieving this. It is vitally important if we are to ensure that the Wymondham – Dereham – Norwich Research Park triangle is to truly fulfil its vast potential in the coming decades.

On a wider note, I was delighted to see the East-West rail announcement in last week’s budget. I have campaigned extensively for this since becoming an MP back in 2010 and the prospect of an innovation express running from Norwich to Cambridge to Oxford to Reading to Southampton – linking up our east and west clusters – is something I relish.

As a new Victorian-model rail company (the first of its kind in 150 years!), it will undertake development to fund both new and improved rail infrastructure, benefitting both commuters, homeowners and businesses.