A new railway station could soon be built in South Lynn
Those behind the plans think it would generate significant economic growth in the region
There are talks to create a new railway station in Norfolk, as part of wider plans for an upgrade of the county’s train network.
The reconstruction of South Lynn station, which closed to passengers in 1959, is the centrepiece of a new strategy unveiled by the Eastern Powerhouse (EP) at a conference in Cambridge this week.
The organisation, made up of MPs, councillors and business leaders, hopes the scheme – which it says will generate significant economic growth in the region – can be funded by Whitehall reallocating cash previously earmarked for the failed northern leg of the HS2 railway line.
The group also wants to upgrade several other stations and develop them into so-called ‘business hubs’, and has been consulting with Norfolk councils to identify possible locations for the sites, which it hopes could become localised centres of industry.
The South Lynn station would be located on the King’s Lynn to London line, and would be built on land south of the A47.
It would provide regular services to Cambridge and the capital, with the EP saying it would benefit Norfolk by strengthening links to Cambridge – less than an hour from Lynn by train.
James Palmer, director of the group, said: “We have been working with Network Rail following talks with the Secretary of State for Transport to look at ways of improving the railway network in the East and find potential new projects to the region.
“We have since been having discussions with West Norfolk Council about the potential for a second railway station for King’s Lynn.
“It follows us putting a call-out to local councils to identify potential locations of railway stations in need of investment, which we have gained several responses to.
“Improvement of railway stations is an example of our ambition to improve the transport network and are looking for stations lacking in trade and in need of regeneration.
“Creating a business hub within the locality is something we are exploring.”
Why South Lynn?
The West Winch area in South Lynn is to experience a huge amount of growth in the next few years, with more than 4,000 homes due to be built, accompanied by new health, education and community facilities.
WNC says its aim is to integrate a large number of new homes and associated facilities with the existing village community, creating a range of major improvements to bring economic benefits to the district and “maximise its extensive potential”.
Creating new transport links is an important part of the project and a new access road, linking the A47 with the A149, is already progressing.
Mr Palmer added: “Eastern Powerhouse can only open doors. We will work with councils and support their discussions with central government to find ways to encourage growth.”
Terry Parish, leader of the Independent coalition-led West Norfolk Council, says there is strong support for the idea.
“A new railway station in West Winch would be ideal given the 4,000 homes intended to be built there,” He said.
“Officers are moving forward with discussions with Eastern Powerhouse. There is a lot of interest among councillors and officers for such a station.”
What could this mean for the QEH rebuild?
Mr Parish added that if the idea gets more traction, it would give more weight to calls for the rebuild of the crumbling Queen Elizabeth Hospital – currently planned for its current site north of the city – to be reconsidered for the West Winch/Hardwick area to the south.
“The important thing is that we get a new hospital. But a green field site with room to expand and include relevant business opportunities, with a rail link, would be ideal.”
It is not the first time establishing a railway station in South Lynn has been raised.
In 2022, WNC councillor Anthony Bubb raised the idea as way of easing the strain on the region’s roads after the new housing is built.