Greater Anglia has linked up with local councils to launch a new community rail partnership to boost the line from Ipswich to Cambridge.

It is the latest partnership and follows on from a similar scheme for the East Suffolk lines from Ipswich to Lowestoft and Felixstowe and a number of routes in Norfolk.

The partnership will be based at Suffolk County Council and will encourage local people to help looking after small local stations and will also work within local communities to persuade more people to use the train as an alternative to a dash along the A14.

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Greater Anglia, said: “We’re delighted to announce the formation of a new Community Rail Partnership for the Ipswich to Cambridge rail route.

"We know how successful CRPs can be in building awareness of, and helping to improve, local rail services.

“Now the Ipswich to Cambridge line is to set to benefit from a CRP too. We’re grateful to all the partners who are supporting the new CRP. We are sure that our collaboration will bring benefits for customers and communities along this important rail corridor.”

Chris Chambers Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy said: “Suffolk County Council is pleased to be involved in this new Community Rail Partnership.

"We already host the Officer for the East Suffolk Lines CRP and that relationship is working really well, so we consider ourselves well placed to host this new post.”