MP welcomes shift in attitude ahead of Ely Junction debate
Charlotte Cane's hosting a debate in Parliament on the issue today
A Cambridgeshire MP believes there's a shift in attitude towards improving Ely rail junction.
The scheme - where lines from Cambridge, Peterborough, Norwich, King's Lynn and Ipswich all meet - missed out on funding in the Government's Autumn Budget.
Liberal Democrat Charlotte Cane - MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire - is leading a debate on the issue in Parliament today.
"I personally think their (MPs) tone has moved; I think they're now at least acknowledging the significance of the project," Ms Cane said.
"I know there'll be lots of MPs form our region who are very keen to see this go ahead, but I'm hoping MPs from the Midlands and the north will also be pressing for it because it brings huge benefits to them as well."
Calls to improve Ely Junction have continued for more than two decades.
Campaigners believe improving would increase the number of passenger journeys, as well as run an extra 2,900 freight services a year from Felixstowe.
Councillor Anna Bailey, leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council, has previously told us amid plans for an Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor, improvements at Ely Junction are "crucial to delivering on the Government's agenda and we need to keep it in front of them."
'Strong case for Ely Junction'
In the debate, Ms Cane is expected to highlight the economic benefits to the region and the country by expanding capacity on the rail network.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said funding for the scheme is not ruled out.
"We recognise the importance of the Ely Junction scheme, and we fully anticipate it will be part of a pipeline of projects to be considered as part of future funding decisions," the spokesperson said.
"There is a strong case for Ely Junction, and we are committed to working with a broad range of stakeholders to support its inclusion in the future pipeline."
In 2020, the cost of upgrading Ely Junction is reported to have risen up to £500 million.
Ms Cane - who's continued to campaign for the scheme since taking office in July last year - feels more people other than just local communities will benefit from an upgrade.
"We should be able to get better, more frequent passenger trains out of it, but people around the country will benefit because they'll be able to export their products more efficiently to Europe, or import products from Europe," she added.
"It opens lots of other opportunities because if you improve that bottleneck, you can look at improving in my case, Soham station.
"There are huge benefits, and I can only think it is that large price tag to get the ball rolling."