National Express Group’s ‘one’ railway and the East Anglia based Community Rail Partnerships are set to celebrate the 2007 Community Rail Partnership Week with nine days of activity between 19-27 May across the ‘one’ railway network.

Community Rail Week is all about celebrating the achievements of the Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) where community and local authority support from Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils, District Authorities and other partners, is delivering significant passenger growth and increases in train service frequencies and station improvements. Established and thriving examples of CRPs on the ‘one’ network are:

• The Bittern Line between Norwich and Sheringham
• The Wherry Lines between Norwich and Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft
• The East Suffolk Line between Lowestoft and Ipswich
• The Sunshine Coast Line between Clacton-on-Sea and Colchester
• The Mayflower Line between Manningtree and Harwich Town
• The Gainsborough Line between Sudbury and Marks Tey
• The Crouch Valley Line between Southminster and Wickford

As part of the promotional activity for CRP Week, ‘one’ railway is promoting a very special ticket offer with an exclusive new ‘one’ Day Explorer ticket – available initially for a promotional period from 19 May to 3 June. The ‘one’ Day Explorer is valid for travel across the ‘one’ railway network outside the London area One Day Travelcard boundary at just £18 per adult and £2 for accompanied children (terms and conditions apply). This is a fantastic opportunity, especially during half-term for families to explore much of the ‘one’ network including all seven CRPs.

The ‘one’ Day Explorer ticket will also be available during the summer from 4 July until 9 September.

In addition, a number of activities will be taking place to promote the work of the CRPs involving the local community at a number of locations including:

• Saturday 19 May: Bittern / Wherry Lines Information Stand in the Castle Mall, Norwich & Essex CRPs Information Stand at Ilford Shopping Centre

• Saturday 26 May: Bittern / Wherry Lines Information Stand at Norwich Station with local tourist attractions
• In Essex, similar activity is taking place to promote local attractions along the lines; art exhibitions are planned and Guided Walks will be held on the Mayflower Line. On the Crouch Valley line, there will also a number of other exciting events linked to the Crouch Valley Festival on 24 June.

• The East Suffolk Line CRP will be promoting a series of Guided Walks from stations and local museums including the Long Shop at Leiston and Carlton Colville Transport Museum will offer discounts to rail ticket holders.

• On the Bittern Line, ‘one’ and local partners will be celebrating the increase of the Sunday summer service (from 20 May) from 7 trains in each direction to 13 in providing an hourly service throughout the day. This represents the best ever Sunday service on the line which only a few years ago saw only three Sunday trains a day!

• This year is also the 10th Anniversary of the Bittern Line and a major celebration is taking place at West Runton with the local Women’s Institute on Saturday 30 June, with the W.I hosting a Garden Party at the picturesque and award-winning station.

More details of CRP Week activity can be found via the ‘one’ railway website at www.onerailway.com and by using the links to the various CRP websites at: www.esscrp.org.uk www.eastsuffolkline.com www.bitternline.com www.wherrylines.org.uk