How sad it is that the waterfronts along the rivers in both Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth have been in such a sorry state for many years.

Yet whenever one visits the redeveloped waterfronts in the former dockland areas of London, Liverpool and other cities, the solution seems to be staring us in the face.

The waterfronts in both Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth could be redeveloped, with flats, restaurants and other commercial units.

Furthermore, were redevelopment to take place in conjunction with the electrification of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft railway lines, hourly electric train services could operate from London Liverpool Street to Lowestoft and to Great Yarmouth, reversing at Norwich.

Waterfront redevelopment and through electric trains to London would have the following advantages:

1) People would be able to buy or rent homes along Lowestoft's and Great Yarmouth's waterfronts for a fraction of London prices, enjoy the Broadlands' amenities at weekends, and be able to travel to work in London in about two hours.

2) New residents would be paying council tax and new businesses paying business rates, benefiting all local residents.

3) The decrepit railway lines into Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth would be upgraded, again benefiting all local residents.

4) London has plenty of job vacancies but a horrific housing shortage. A few thousand new homes along Lowestoft's and Great Yarmouth's waterfronts would relieve some of the pressure on London.

The issue of flooding along the waterfronts could be addressed by constructing new buildings' habitable floors above flood plain level.

Michael Page

via email