Greater Anglia to fund £350,000 in Community-led Projects

11 August, 2026

Train operator Greater Anglia has pledged more than £350,000 across 33 community-led projects in East Anglia, including several in East Suffolk, through its Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF).

Funding has been awarded to a wide range of initiatives that benefit both the community and the railway – from small-scale station enhancements and help for volunteers to integrated transport projects and schemes to introduce new or disadvantaged groups to rail travel.

Grants have also been awarded for guides and trails, heritage links, tourism initiatives, and many other ideas led by the community that help to promote rail services.

This is the third year of the scheme with grants up to £50,000 avaible for individual projects.

Ten schemes in Suffolk will receive funding, including several along the East Suffolk Lines. £47,000 has been awarded for development of a scheme to increase toilet provision at Lowestoft station; £9,900 will go toward improvements at Halesworth museum which is located inside the station building; £4,500 has been earmarked for the development of new walking guides for the East Suffolk Lines.

Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Jonathan Denby, said:

“We have seen a growing interest in this funding opportunity to make a positive difference in our communities. This is an excellent scheme, and a way of supporting locally focused enhancements in line with community needs. Last year’s projects were a great success, and we are delighted to announce a further 33 projects this year stretching across the whole region.”

Grant Awards in Suffolk

  • £4,500 to develop new walking guides for the East Suffolk Line
  • £700 to introduce a new history board at Trimley
  • £2,500 for maps and wayfinding around Felixstowe station
  • £1,000 for a new interpretation board at Felixstowe
  • £4,500 for developing new hidden history guides to enjoy the East Suffolk area
  • £9,900 for improvements to Halesworth museum
  • £10,000 for tourism marketing activity in the Sudbury area
  • £25,600 for a new e-bike hire scheme at Felixstowe, Shotley and Harwich
  • £47,000 towards development of a scheme to increase toilet provision at Lowestoft station
  • £3,500 for onward travel signage improvements at Lowestoft

Norfolk

  • £49,924 for walking and cycling improvements around Diss station
  • £30,000 for a feasibility study on more accessible access to Thetford station
  • £3,500 for Cromer heritage sign development
  • Hertfordshire

Essex

  • £6,150 to improve the community’s work at Alresford Station House
  • £680 for landscaping improvements at Ingatestone
  • £500 for new planters for Chappel and Wakes Colne station
  • £29,674 for train accessible mobility scooters for Jaywick community
  • £220 for planters at Beaulieu Park railway station
  • £3,000 for new cycle storage at Bures station
  • £1,050 for developing Harwich Art Trail
  • £30,000 for developing car club and e-cycle spaces at Colchester
  • £1,054 for supported trips for vulnerable people
  • £3,410 for landscaping at Manningtree station
  • £2,100 for developing planting schemes at Rayleigh railway station
  • £10,100 for a tourism film to promote the area by rail
  • £2,800 for new information boards and Mistley and Weeley
  • £5,310 for new community seating at Burnham-on-Crouch station
  • £15,000 for braille signage development on the Southend Line
  • Suffolk

Cambridgeshire

  • £2,250 for a youth travel support project in the Cam valley
  • £10,000 for improvements to station environment in Cam valley
  • £6,485 for a shop local guide on Hereward line
  • £12,655 for the Travel Buddies scheme, which supports independent travel for older people

Hertfordshire

  • £15,600 to install new information boards on the New River Line