Proposed Service To Leiston and Felixstowe Beach

The Suffolk County Council transport committee is to explore reinstating passenger rail service to Leiston. The line, which begins at Saxmundham, is only used for transporting the nuclear flask from the Sizewell power station. Rail traffic is expected to cease in 2012 when all materials will have been removed from Sizewell “A”. Under a proposal being floated, Leiston could see a direct hourly service to Ipswich via Saxmundham.

British Rail withdrew all passenger services to the town on 12 September 1966. At that time the line went from Saxmundham to Aldeburgh, with intermediate stations at Leiston and Thorpeness. The railway now ends just east of Leiston station.

Proposals are also be looked at which would restore service to Felixstowe Beach on the present Ipswich to Felixstowe Line. A new station would be needed as the then Strategic Rail Authority had Felixstowe Beach station demolished in April of 2004, saying it was unsafe.