Fen Line Users Association
The Fen Line Users Association (FLUA) is a Rail Users Group. FLUA works to develop rail services on the King's Lynn-Ely-Cambridge-London Fen Line.
FLUA has been in existence since 1986 and has grown steadily since. The previous Train Operating Company on the Fen Line (WAGN) named two Class 365 units after it.
FLUA puts its views to First Capital Connect, 'one', Central Trains, Network Rail, Local Councils and other Organisations. Many of FLUA's suggestions have been accepted and acted upon. FLUA is never afraid to offer constructive criticism but it is equally committed to providing practical help in publicising Fen Line services.
Members receive The Fenman newsletter several times a year, bringing advance details of changes and developments as well as progress reports on the improvements FLUA are seeking. FLUA's annual meeting, normally held in Ely in the Autumn, usually has representatives from each of the Railway Companies and gives members a chance to raise concerns directly with railway management.
Contents
FLUA's Vision of Fen Line services between King's Lynn and London:
Parking and stations
- bigger car parks – especially at Downham Market, and Ely;
- surfaced, secure car park at Watlington;
- safeguard land for future expansion phases of King's Lynn station car park;
- safe and accessible crossings between platforms within stations.
Tickets and fares
- on-train ticket inspection the norm;
- inter-available tickets, fares and cards;
- through tickets to Eurostar destinations.
Faster and more frequent trains
- no overcrowding - more and longer trains;
- services every half-hour throughout the day;
- additional King's Lynn-London trains – limited stop between King's Lynn and Cambridge;
- all King's Lynn - Kings Cross services non-stop between Cambridge and London;
- keep King's Lynn-Ely-Cambridge -London services separate from any cross-Cambridge local stopping service;
- standard times every day with variations marked (e.g. ‘Mondays to Fridays only’).
Destinations
- access to London – the City, West End and Stratford/Docklands;
- choice of Kings Cross and Liverpool Street routes;
- through Thameslink Programme trains into Central London and beyond.
Good connections
- frequent cross-country connections - rail and integrated bus;
- reliable airport links to Stansted/Gatwick/Heathrow;
- simple Eurostar interchange at St. Pancras International.
Fen Line Users Association calls for Action this day
- expand Downham Market and Ely car parks;
- renumber King's Lynn platforms to make sense of CIS;
- provide waiting room, more ladies’ toilets and extra undercover
- cycle parking at King's Lynn;
- build all-weather car park at Watlington;
- erect ‘whistle’ boards in both directions for station level crossings;
- introduce remotely-controlled lockable wicket gates at Downham Market and Littleport stations;
- rebuild Littleport upside shelter quickly;
- install full barriers with skirts and lockable wicket gates at Waterbeach station level crossing;
- provide ticket office and CCTV at Waterbeach;
- create more capacity on peak trains, morning and evening;
- run additional, earlier train from King's Lynn to London, daily;
- start Sunday service from King's Lynn earlier and run hourly;
- extend 15.15 Kings Cross-Ely to King's Lynn for schools;
- extend 15.58 Liverpool Street-Ely to King's Lynn for workers;
- introduce 21.15 and 22.15 fast Kings Cross-King's Lynn on Saturdays;
- extend 23.15 fast from Kings Cross to King's Lynn daily;
- operate 23.15 from King's Lynn daily;
- ensure any late night bus replacement service is ‘sets down only’;
- maintain Ely stops in Norwich-Nottingham service;
- create better Stansted connections;
- enable machines to issue pre-booked (Internet or phone) tickets at all staffed stations;
- enable staffed stations to issue full range of Plusbus tickets;
- include Cambridge in Plusbus, replacing current 3 differing bus tickets;
- make an early start on Thameslink Programme works.
