Businessman Welcomes Potential Re-Opening of Soham Rail Station

6.23.30pm GMT Fri 20th Nov 2009

Leading Soham businessman, Charles Warner, has welcomed the news that Soham railway station may re-open after a twenty-year campaign.

The most recent survey held three years ago to preserve the old station site from encroaching development, showed a high level of support to reopen the station

He claims the decision, part of a major Network Rail project to allow freight trains from Felixstowe to avoid the Olympic Games' site, will bring huge benefits for Soham.

"This is excellent news," said Mr Warner, a Liberal Democrat activist. "It will put Soham firmly on the map and bring increased prosperity to the town well ahead of the Soham Master Plan.

"This is the boost that Soham has needed for a long time. By reinstating this key commuter link, the town becomes a viable location for new businesses, and people who need to commute will see it as an attractive place to live.

"This decision has the potential to bring major economic growth to Soham while at the same time reducing traffic congestion in and around Ely and Cambridge ."

East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Leader, Gareth Wilson, said: "We have campaigned for a long time to get this station reinstated and this decision is very welcome.

"It gives the people of Soham a fast direct rail link to Ely and Cambridge and offers them a viable alternative to car travel.

"Reopening the railway station will bring major advantages to the town and encourage enterprise."