Group formed to campaign for King’s Lynn to Hunstanton Railway

More than 1,300 have signed a petition to reopen the line. Campaigners believe it would bring economic benefits and help cut traffic on the A149 coast road.

MORE - Do you wish you could catch a train to Hunstanton, instead of sitting in a traffic jam on the A149?

After its first meeting, the group has pledged that it will campaign for 'a new railway to network Rail Group standards'.

Traffic backed up on the A149 coast road at Hunstanton. Picture:Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Georgina Turner, who started the petition, said: 'I found a group on Facebook and they put me in touch with various people who were interested and as time's gone on we've had people contacting us saying: 'I've got this expertise, I'd like to help.'

In a statement after the meeting, the King's Lynn to Hunstanton Railway Steering Group said: 'The majority of the original track bed remains - you can see it using google earth - however there are obstacles in parts as building took place when protected status was lost.

'The track bed once again has protected status and the steering group has started looking at various alternative routes that avoid sections where construction blocks the original line.

'The steering group has identified a start and end point plus various route options. A railway line between King's Lynn and Hunstanton is definitely possible.'

Traffic queues on the A47 approaching the Hardwick Roundabout, in King's lynn. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

MORE - Should they bring back the King's Lynn to HUnstanton railway?

Hunstanton grew up around the railway, which brought the coastal town within reach of visitors from London, the north and Midlands.

The line closed in 1969, as car ownership became more common and fewer took the train to the seaside.

Restoring the single track line, which originally ran through Wolferton, Snettisham and Heacham, will cost millions, with Network Rail saying it would require 'a sound business case'.

But campaigners point to the success of the recently re-opened Borders Railway in the north of England.

'Equally, there are potential economic benefits for King's Lynn and North West Norfolk which add to the business case for reinstating this railway,' the steering group says.

'The aim is to produce a detailed report that identifies route options and potential costs to obtain a feasibility study.' For more information, click here.