Now is the time for further action on the railways, Prime Minister David Cameron has said as he acknowledged East Anglia's transport links needed an upgrade if the region is to continue to grow.
In the week the Great Eastern Rail Taskforce has published its case for investment – which suggests there could be an economic payback four times greater than the proposed High Speed Two (HS2) link from London to Birmingham – Mr Cameron told the EADT he recognised more needed to be done in the East.
Speaking six months from the General Election, Mr Cameron said there was room for more infrastructure spending and he would be pushing the Chancellor 'on every front' for improvements right across the country.
Greater Anglia – which operates the Great Eastern Main Line – is the second least subsidised train company in the UK.
Our region also has some of the least reliable and slowest train speeds.
Asked if he regrets not doing more to address the line while in power, Mr Cameron said: 'We have made some steps forward, including £170m in upgrades to the line and also we have put better trains onto the service between London and Norwich.
'But I recognise that there is more that needs to be done. Because we have managed the economy well, there is room for more infrastructure spending. We will be listening carefully to the recommendations people are making.'
Questioned on the benefits of investment in the Great Eastern Main Line, compared to HS2, Mr Cameron said: 'With respect to HS2, you need to remember there will be three times as much spent on road and rail improvements in the next parliament as is spent on HS2, so there is room for further investment.
'I know this is a fast growing area of Britain that has performed very strongly, but I think for that performance to continue we really need to upgrade the transport links.
'Big things have been done on the A11, which I think will make a big difference, but I think it is the time for further action on the railways.
'I will push the Chancellor on every front. I was to see improvements right across the country. We have given priority to infrastructure, and I think there is more to do.'
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