Norwich in 90 campaign calls for better customer service and reliability on its first birthday.

Business leaders and politicians have called for improved reliability, cleanliness and customer service on trains from Norwich to London as the Norwich in 90 campaign marks its first birthday.

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Last year Shaping Norfolk’s Future, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce were a among a group of “stakeholders” who pledged to work together to improve the service on the main line trains between London and Norwich.

Since the campaign launched, an independent report has concluded that upgrading the Norwich to London line would bring £3.7bn in economic benefits to the region.

A new short-term franchise will be let by the Department of Transport later this year and Norwich in 90 will lobby for greater improvement when the long-term franchise is let in 2013.

Ultimately campaigners want to see a 90-minute journey time between Norwich and London.

Since the launch last year wi-fi has been introduced on inter-city services along with some faster peak and off-peak trains and additional carriage capacity.

National Express East Anglia has also introduced more trains at the southern end of the route to ease congestion.

But Mike Burrows, deputy chairman of Shaping Norfolk’s Future, said there was much more to be achieved after a positive start.

Simon Wright, MP for Norwich South, said: “Decent transport links are vital for Norwich and the whole of Norfolk.

“The government has recognised that bigger benefits can be drawn from longer rail franchises, and it’s vital that we all now work together through the campaign to develop our vision for the long term of the Norwich to London service and work to make that vision a reality through the franchising process.”

Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, said: “It is incredibly important for everyone who uses the rail service to get a faster, cleaner, more reliable service, especially when fares have had to go up.

“That requires all parts of the industry to pull together and I am pleased the government is doing its bit by re-tendering the franchise.”

The campaigners are also calling in the long-term for new, spacious, clean and comfortable Inter-City style trains, an “office on the move” for business passengers, and more train capacity to overcome peak-hour crowding without downgrading to commuter-style carriages.

Caroline Williams, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great that we have made progress and the business community needs to continue driving this campaign to achieve all our aims.”

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for travel and transport, said: “The target of a 90-minute journey time between Norwich and London is realistic, affordable and with real economic returns for the county.”

The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (Lep), which has been set up to create jobs and growth in the region, will also back part of the Norwich in 90 campaign.

Andy Wood, joint chairman of the Lep and chief executive of Adnams, said: “Improved journey times and reliability on the Norwich to London line will bring significant economic benefits to Suffolk and Norfolk, Ipswich and Norwich.”

annabelle.dickson@archant.co.uk