 The Local Delivery Vehicle for Thetford Growth Point- 4 APRIL 2008
Access to Thetford’s railway station will soon be made a lot easier and safer, following today’s cash award from the Moving Thetford Forward Board.
Working with Norfolk County Council, Moving Thetford Forward has agreed to contribute £30,000 to access projects at Thetford Station, adding substantial sums to what Norfolk County Council will be spending at the station over the coming weeks.
Projects will be completed over the next few weeks. Access arrangements to and at the station will be improved, with better paths and lighting being installed, making access safer and easier. This should be particularly helpful for rail-users who need wheeled access to the station for their cycles or wheelchairs. Additionally, toilet and waiting room facilities will be improved.
The £30,000 award from Moving Thetford Forward is the first allocation of funds from the newly revamped organisation, which met for the first time yesterday. The Chair of the Board, William Nunn (who is also the Leader of Breckland Council), said:
“This is the start of something big for Thetford, these vital new projects which will improve access to the railway station for many people every day. It also signals what the new Moving Thetford Forward partnership is all about – actually making Thetford a better place for everyone.”
Moving Thetford Forward is a partnership between Breckland Council, Norfolk County Council, Thetford Town Council and Croxton Parish Council which will coordinate and deliver a wide variety of projects to help the sustainable growth and regeneration of Thetford and surrounding parishes over the next 15 years. It will also involve members of the private sector on the Board, to ensure businesses are taken into account in decisions it makes. It is hoped that regional and national agencies, such as the East of England Development Agency and English Partnerships, will sign up to the venture soon.
William continued:
“Over the coming months and years, we will see major projects taking shape in Thetford, targeting brown field land, the river frontage, the bus station, green spaces and other much needed infrastructure to make real improvements in the quality of life for everyone working and living in Thetford. It’s a really exciting time for Thetford, and one I am delighted to be part of.”
Daniel Cox of Norfolk County Council, who also sits on the Moving Thetford Forward Board, commented:
“I see a really positive future for Thetford, and Norfolk County Council is delighted to be part of Moving Thetford Forward. I was particularly pleased that Moving Thetford Forward could support the work Norfolk County Council is doing to improve access at the train station, so that jointly we can get these new facilities in as quickly as possible. The new facilities and path will make a real difference to a lot of people”.
Mayor of Thetford, Robert Kybird, and a Board Member said; “Moving Theford Forward is an essential step towards delivering growth and regeneration of Thetford. The Town Council has supported this initiative from the very beginning.”
On behalf of Moving Thetford Forward, William urged residents and local businesses to get involved in Thetford’s growth and regeneration. The Thetford Area Action Plan will look specifically at the detail of development and the community will be consulted early in the process about issues that Thetford faces.
“We want to encourage the community to get involved. Over the next 18 months, Moving Thetford Forward will be consulting residents on at least three separate occasions. I urge people to take part in these consultation events but comments and suggestions can be made to the Thetford Growth Point Team at anytime, added William. “This is an important time for Thetford and surrounding parishes and exciting times lay ahead for all of us. We need to get it right for the success of Thetford and for the enjoyment of all residents.”
The first consultation stage will take place in late spring, when an ‘Issues and Options’ document will be issued, specifically asking questions about what residents in Thetford want for the town.
Further information can be found online at: www.movingthetfordforward.com or by contacting the Thetford Growth Point team on: 01842 756487.
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