Published on: Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Rail passengers on the Norwich to London mainline can find out about the delights of the Waveney Valley as they pass through Diss station, thanks to a newly-installed photographic exhibition along the platforms.
Large photographs of iconic and well-loved locations in the Waveney Valley (such as Diss Market and mere, the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, Ellingham Mill, Eye, Somerleyton, the Angles Way footpath, Billingford Mill, Loddon & Chedgrave, Bressingham Steam Museum, Beccles, Bungay Castle and Harleston and its antiques market) have been installed along both platforms to inspire an increase in tourism and travel to the area, promoting this beautiful destination to people as they pass through on the train.
The project - a partnership between Abellio Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, South Norfolk District Council, Diss Town Council, the Waveney Valley Towns Team and the Diss Rail Station Group - is the first to be delivered under the Diss Station Travel Plan which, along with the exhibition, will be launched at the station at 11.30am on Friday 19th August.
Tony Palmer, Chair of the Diss Rail Station Group, who came up with the idea for the platform photos commented, “I am delighted to see the installation of pictures of the Waveney Valley along Diss Station. They provide a bright ambience for commuting passengers. I look forward to an increase in tourism and rail travel, inspired by the display of pictures promoting the Waveney Valley and visits to this beautiful destination. My thanks to all who made this happen.”
Cllr Martin Wilby, Chairman of Environment Development & Transport at Norfolk County Council, commented: “These photos brighten up the platforms for the many thousands of passengers that use and pass through Diss rail station, while promoting not only Diss as a destination but the whole Waveney Valley as a place to visit and explore with something for all ages.”
Last year, Abellio Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, South Norfolk District Council and Diss Town Council started work on the Diss Station Travel Plan, launching a major study to investigate how customers access Diss station and whether improvements could be made, leading to the creation of an Action Plan for the station.
Geraint Hughes, Abellio Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, commented: “The launch of the Diss Station Travel Plan represents the culmination of a year’s study to find out how we can improve access to and the experience of Diss station for passengers, encouraging more people to consider travelling by rail. The Waveney Valley exhibition is the first project that we have delivered and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to bring about further improvements to benefit passengers and the community.”