The Background to ESTA

ESTA was formed in 1967 by a group of rail users who had successfully campaigned against the proposed closure of the Ipswich - Lowestoft line. The association grew steadily and now has some 450 members.

It has used a variety of means, from letters to MPs to chartering special trains, to promote the rail service and press for improvements.

The modernisation of the the route, with automatic crossings and radio signalling, in the early 1980s provided the opportunity for an increased Sunday and late evening service. ESTA worked with British Rail to achieve this and also welcomed the re-introduction of a through train to London in 1999.

Since the 1970s ETA has also concerned itself with local bus services. We welcomed the re-organisation of the service 99 from Halesworth to Lowestoft via Southwold and its integration with the trains. We also welcomed the increased bus services from Lowestoft area to the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston.

We have joined the Wherry Line Community Partnership and help the Lowestoft-Norwich service which has enjoyed increased usage.

For many years we produced, twice a year, a free information sheet "East Suffolk Travel". In more recent years, partly because of the increased role of the County Council in publicising public transport timetables, we have instead concentrated on producing and distributing localised train and bus timetables where members considered they were needed.

ESTA has worked constructively with Anglia Railways, First Bus, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Acre and other bodies. We submit comments on planning proposals and made our views clear on the Greater Anglia Franchise.

We can provide speakers for meetings of other organisations and have, in the past, mounted displays and exhibitions at libraries and other public places. More recently we had held stalls at events when we prompted public transport and discussed issues with the public.

In 2003, our widely-acclaimed Line Guide "East Suffolk by Train & Bus" provided a wealth of information about places to visit and 10,000 copies were distributed.

ESTA Constitution