Works to replace the platform at Sheringham Railway Station at a cost of more than £1 million will get underway this weekend.

Eastern Daily Press: Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft ((left) and deputy mayor Liz Withington, who have been campaigning for improvements to the town's station. Photo: KAREN BETHELLSheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft ((left) and deputy mayor Liz Withington, who have been campaigning for improvements to the town's station. Photo: KAREN BETHELL (Image: Archant)

Installing the new 80 metre platform capable of accommodating the next generation of trains means the station will be closed from Sunday, March 31, all through the Easter holidays, to re-open on Monday, May 6.

During the closure, Bittern Line trains from Norwich to Sheringham will terminate at Cromer, with a replacement bus service being laid on for passengers to West Runton and Sheringham.

And the vintage Routemaster bus will be used to transport passengers to and from Sheringham and Holt to the Vintage 1960s Festival in Cromer on Saturday.

Tickets, priced £7 return, available from the pier box office on 01263 512495 or from www.cromerpier.co.uk.

While many rail users and council leaders welcomed the project, Sheringham Chamber of Trade warned it would 'severely impact Easter trading.'

Andrew Goodrum, business readiness director at Greater Anglia, which is replacing the platform, said: 'We're very pleased to carry out these major improvements at Sheringham station, which will benefit rail passengers and the town.

'We apologise to customers affected by the upgrade works, but by completing them by early May, the new station will be ready for the new trains and the busy summer season.'

The station's current 40-metre platform is too short to fit the rail firm's new bi-mode trains, which can switch between electric and diesel power.

Mr Goodrum said: 'People may already have spotted our new trains around the network, as we have been carrying out safety and performance tests day and night, as part of our preparations for bring them into service.'

Christopher Taylor, the chamber's vice chairman, said after the project's announcement in February: 'Without any prior consultation with the local community and businesses Abellio East Anglia Limited have decided to set in train a programme works that is likely to severely impact Easter trading.'

But Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft said it was a step forward for the town, after the council began campaigning for station improvements in 2016 out of safety and accessibility concerns. She said: 'This will provide the impressive gateway Sheringham deserves.'

The new platform will be wider than the current structure, with improved lighting and a new shelter.

The current platform was installed in 1967, and was originally designed to be temporary.

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