Greater Anglia has announced changes to its services consequent upon the introduction of a new timetable on Sunday, 14th December.
The main changes are revised times for services on the West Anglia route and extra services on Sundays to West Runton on the line from Norwich to Sheringham. Due to increased demand, Greater Anglia introduced additional services to West Runton as part of the timetable change in December 2024. West Runton is one of the stations in Norfolk that has received accreditation by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust for its support of local flora and fauna.
The other main changes are extra carriages for services on the Great Eastern Main Line and between Southend Victoria and London. In other changes, fewer Cambridge/Ely services will call at Cheshunt; however, these will be offset by additional Hertford East and Stansted services stopping there.
In the morning peak, for services towards London Liverpool Street and Stratford:
- Cambridge/Ely services will start earlier.
- Cheshunt will mainly be served by Stansted and Hertford services.
- Some Hertford East to Liverpool Street trains will call at Cheshunt instead of Waltham Cross.
- Stansted services will be retimed.
In the evening peak, for services from Liverpool Street and Stratford:
- Most departures will depart two to ten minutes earlier.
- Slower Cambridge services will stop at Brimsdown instead of at Waltham Cross, although semi-fast Cambridge services will continue to call at Waltham Cross.
- An extra service will operate between Stratford and Meridian Water.
The effect on individual stations is:
- Extra trains stopping at Cambridge North on early morning and evening Cambridge services.
- Fewer peak Cambridge/Ely services will call at Cheshunt, but more Stansted Airport services will call, and off-peak Cambridge services will continue to call.
- During peak hour, Waltham Cross will be served mainly by Cambridge/Ely services instead of Hertford East services.
- Some Stratford services will start/terminate at Hertford East instead of Bishop’s Stortford.
- Services to Bishop’s Stortford will alternate with Hertford East on routes to Stratford, and some Stansted and Liverpool Street services will also call at Bishop’s Stortford.
- Extra evening services will call at Brimsdown and Stratford.
“These timetable changes will improve punctuality and reliability across our network, helping customers enjoy faster and more consistent journeys. With our modern fleet now operating all services, rail travel in our region is more comfortable, reliable, and convenient than ever.”
Martin Beable, Managing Director, Greater Anglia
Responses
On the Liverpool Street/Norwich service, some 40 years ago, I enjoyed a Cooked “meat and two veg type” Lunch served by Polite and Smart Stewards. When dining then; and recently on GWR´s Pullman Service, essentially I travelled with a “Blank Cheque”.
Most railways have not come to terms with too many communters travelling from greater distances creating impossible situations for On-board dining or trollies, as the commuters obstruct the aisles. (This was a characteristic in the early 1980´s on the Waterloo/Bournemouth evening services as the Restaurant/Bar RMB) car was full with standing Commuters enjoying their drinks, blocking the aisles making it difficult for passengers to pass through with bags.)
Perhaps we could re-instate the three classes of rail travel, with commuters travelling in one class; tourists and recreation travellers in another and full dining (including “Full English” Breakfast — GWR please note) available in the First Class. Just like some aircraft travel with three classes — Business Class, Premium Economy and First Class ?
The trains from Norwich to Liverpool are just atrocious as only two carriages on then two added at Nottingham same on return route they removed .
I do realise it’s EMR but surely sometimes can be arranged between both stations .
People end up standing on the old outdated trains 😞
Perhaps now Greater Anglia will also ensure that all the trains on the Liverpool Street / Norwich service are provided with both 1st class and Std Class accommodation. In fact stop substituting the trains on the Liverpool Street / Norwich service with inferior trains that belong on services to Stansted Airport .. Your under state control now start delivering the service customers on Liverpool Street / Norwich services deserve