‘one’ railway has fitted hearing loops in the mini-ticket offices at Wymondham and North Walsham stations in order to improve services for customers who are hard of hearing. This is the latest in a series of ‘one’ initiatives designed to improve ‘one’ railway’s rural services.

Wymondham is a rural station success story, having been un-staffed for many years; it is now a thriving station on the Norwich to Cambridge line, winning Best Small Station Award at the National Rail Awards 2006.

Likewise, North Walsham is part of the award-winning ‘Bittern Line’ connecting Norwich with North Norfolk. North Walsham is the busiest intermediate station on the Bittern Line and the introduction of a staffed ticket office has been welcomed by customers using the station.

The move to establish ticket offices at stations such as Wymonham and North Walsham is reversing a trend begun in the 1960’s when many such stations were de-staffed. ‘one’ is considering the introduction of similar schemes at other local stations to improve customer service and encourage more travel by train in rural communities.

Clive Morris, ‘one’ business director – rural, said “We are continually striving to improve customer service and the introduction of hearing loops at Wymondham and North Walsham is the latest in a series of innovations which demonstrate our commitment to investing in our rural services.”