Acting on feedback from his constituent rail survey, James Wild MP met Martin Darby from Great Northern, Emily Wilson Senior Public Affairs Manager and Ross Quantrill Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Manager from Network Rail to drive improvements to local services. During the meeting, he raised critical issues including reliability, punctuality and the impact of delays on work, level of service, and price.
James pressed Great Northern on operational challenges that have affected services since the introduction of new trains in May. The operator confirmed work is underway to resolve these issues with greater availability of spare parts, including improving the reliability of onboard facilities including toilets - which is monitored by the company. Network Rail has also invested an additional £500,000 in maintenance to support ongoing work alongside planned engineering and blockade schedules. James is holding both operators to account and will continue monitoring performance closely.
Promisingly, timetable changes that came into force on 14 December will deliver journey time savings of up to seven minutes on services between King’s Lynn and London King’s Cross.
James also urged Network Rail to reduce disruption from planned engineering works and is pressing for improved rail replacement bus services when incidents prevent trains running. He highlighted the shortage of replacement buses on many occasions and is pushing for better coordination of these essential services.
Looking further ahead, James is pursuing long-term infrastructure upgrades for the region. Following the government's very disappointing decision not to fund the Ely Area enhancements which would provide half hourly trains from Lynn, he will be working with Mayor Paul Bristow to make the case for this essential improvement that delivers benefits of £5 for every £1 spent.
Finally, he discussed the upcoming transfer of Great Northern services to public ownership on 31 May 2026, bringing the operator under public control as part of the government’s wider rail reform programme and emphasised that improvements in service quality and passenger experience should continue throughout this transition.
James Wild MP said:
"Reliable rail services are essential for getting to work, attending hospital appointments, to study, or visiting family. I've listened carefully to constituents' concerns and I'm holding rail operators to account.
"Progress is being made—faster journey times and digital signalling improvements are coming into force this month. But I'll continue pushing for better reliability, less disruptive engineering works, and securing longer-term infrastructure investment to support growth in North West Norfolk."
