Business leaders have welcomed proposals for a new station in Wisbech to open up a direct King's Lynn to Peterborough rail link, but a council leader said it was 'not likely to happen in my lifetime'.
The plans have been unveiled by North East Cambridgeshire MP Stephen Barclay, who has held talks with Peter Risebrow, a Eurostar project manager, on how to create a rail link between the two counties.
The idea has been welcomed by the leader of Fenland District Council, John Clark, as a 'fabulous' one that will reap 'rich rewards for Wisbech', but realistically 'not likely to happen in my lifetime'.
There is currently a track from March to Wisbech which campaigners are calling to be brought back into use.
Mr Barclay said: 'The Wisbech to March line could unlock wider benefits by enabling a direct route between King's Lynn and Peterborough. Whilst some extra track will be needed, this would save an hour's journey time between King's Lynn and Birmingham.
'It would also enable a King's Lynn to London service to run every half hour throughout the day from 2017.'
He said a direct rail link would also release pressure on the bottleneck at Ely, and also had potential highways benefits.
Mr Barclay hopes Cambridgeshire County Council will confirm time scales for the next step, a high level engineering study, next month. He also plans to discuss the proposal further with his MP colleagues in the region.
Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council, said: 'Any steps that will improve accessibility and connectivity in West Norfolk are to be welcomed. The re-opening of the Wisbech line is an exciting proposition that should be considered. A direct service from King's Lynn to Wisbech will provide economic benefits to our region.'
The proposal was also welcomed by Elizabeth Nockolds, West Norfolk Council's portfolio holder for culture, tourism and marketing, who said that if it brought more people in to the town it would be a positive move.
Have you got a story about a business in West Norfolk? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk
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