Bittern Line
From the threat of closure to a tripling of passenger numbers in 20 years - business is booming on Norfolk’s Bittern Line.
In 20 years, Norfolk’s Bittern Line has tripled patronage from 200,000 passengers per year to 600,000.
Yet in the 1960s, the line from Norwich to Sheringham faced a bleak future, when it was identified by British Rail as a route for closure.
The line is picturesque, but has never grabbed the headlines. No stations are manned, most are single-platform facilities (including the terminus at Sheringham), and it is operated by diesel multiple units. An oil train runs to North Walsham, but otherwise it has always been a rural branch serving rural communities, constantly battling against the increase in road use.
But 20 years ago, something changed. The rise of the community rail movement benefited the 30½-mile line.
At that time Class 150/2 DMUs had recently replaced Class 101 first generation DMUs in the area, yet this line would often have to make do with a single-car ‘153’. Soon this would be inadequate, as passenger numbers started to grow thanks to successful marketing initiatives and an identification of the line’s potential. The Bittern Line has prospered, and is now looking forward to the introduction of new three- and four-car bi-mode units from 2019.
In late August, the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership celebrated its 20th anniversary with events such as live music, guided walks and craft sessions. More celebrations are planned later this year.
The CRP has played a key role in developing and supporting the route, building key links between the communities it serves and the companies that have operated it, and campaigning for improvements to the trains, the train service and the facilities.
It was launched as part of a joint initiative between Anglia Railways (the then-franchise) and Norfolk County Council, with the aim of revitalising the branch.
“Its proactive support has strengthened local links and has helped to increase passenger journeys on the line in the last two decades,” says Greater Anglia Head of Corporate Affairs Jonathan Denby, who was involved in the CRP’s creation.
“With the prospect of brand new, highquality trains in 2019-20, there are great opportunities for the CRP to help the line to continue to thrive, to the benefit of both customers and local communities.”
Greater Anglia is the CRP’s major funder, and has recently increased its financial backing as part the new nine-year franchise that began last October. The CRP is also backed by Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council and North Norfolk District Council.
Peter Mayne is chairman of the Bittern Line CRP. An enthusiast who is also involved with the nearby North Norfolk Railway, he moved to the area from the Midlands in the mid1990s, and was soon involved in supporting the branch.
“Fifty years after closure of the line was contemplated, the Partnership, with support from the communities we serve, has ensured that the line has gone from strength to strength,” he says.
“This is an opportune time for rail travel between Norwich and Sheringham, with a growing population in towns and villages along the route and brand new longer trains arriving shortly.”
Mayne recalls his first impressions of the line: “Frequently the service was a one-car ‘153’ and the Sunday service was awful, perhaps a train every two hours. The loadings were poor.”
He says a cultural change was needed, and believes that has now taken place for rail on a national basis.
The line’s passengers comprise commuters,
day trippers and holidaymakers. It is also used by students, whose patronage he has been responsible for. After being appointed principal at Paston College in North Walsham, he was able to persuade the College to reorganise its timetable so that students could arrive by train, having noticed that two trains arrived in the town empty. Soon they were full.
“It had the desired effect - before that they were ghost trains. Students don’t need to stay in the town all day, so they could travel. They came from both directions, and further afield. In the end, we had them coming from a 500-square mile radius.”
In the autumn and winter, leaf fall has often caused cancellations due to issues with the DMU fleet’s wheelsets. However, this has not affected the Bittern Line - instead, problems on the Sheringham branch are often caused by the failure of axle-counters during thunderstorms, when the electrics are knocked out.
“The tightness of the timetable means sometimes trains are turned at Cromer, which cuts Sheringham off,” he says. “But there is a good dialogue with Network Rail. They try hard to get people at our board meetings.”
For former University of East Anglia (UEA) student Maggie Tan, this is all a new experience, but one she is embracing. Tan is the Development Officer for Community Rail Norfolk, and (crucially for Mayne) she brings an outsider’s perspective.
Her job is to promote the railways of the region. She has been researching what’s popular, what works (and what doesn’t), and what can be used to further attract people to the region.
She tells RAIL that the Norfolk Broads is the 14th most highlighted location on Instagram. This insight is something that she needs to attract people to the region, but one that perhaps had not been looked at before.
“The work at Wroxham is very impressive,” she says, referring to the opening of an independent restaurant at the station, as well as the upkeep of the signal box there that was opened to the public during the 20th anniversary celebrations.
“The stations at Gunton, Salhouse and Worstead are lovely, and we have plans for them. We want to talk to those involved and continue to improve the line. “I have been learning about the East Suffolk Line and how that promotes itself. We are planning to look at the Marston Vale route, too.”
Tan says there are “huge opportunities”, and commitments to further improve links with communities through simple things such as better signage.
“It struck me how passionate people are, like the station adopters. They raise funds for all sorts and hold events. It’s like a community.”
She says she would like to start promoting attractions on the line (the North Norfolk Railway is currently the largest visitor attraction in the region), and to improve online marketing. She has identified the UEA as a captive market that can be tapped into, as well as Norwich City College and the University of the Arts in the city.
“Greater Anglia has increased its personnel for community rail as well,” she adds.
Mayne sums up the route: “It wouldn’t be the success it is without the volunteers.”
Twenty years since the CRP launched, and with passenger numbers trebled in that time, the Bittern Line is booming. With Tan’s enthusiasm, the drive of the volunteers and new trains due, the future is bright.