STAYING WHERE IT IS? Controversial proposals to move Lowestoft railway station 450 metres inland as part of a major programme of works appear to have been shelved.

STAYING WHERE IT IS? Controversial proposals to move Lowestoft railway station 450 metres inland as part of a major programme of works appear to have been shelved.

But new options to transform the area around the station still

remain in the pipeline as urban regeneration company 1st East tries to unveil a 'development option which will be beneficial to everyone' in the weeks ahead.

1st East is progressing its area action plan for Lowestoft, and a public consultation on the revised vision for the town will be launched in April or May.

But this week, transport watchdog East Suffolk Travellers' Association (ESTA) published a survey of passengers using the station during the peak holiday season last August and September.

With 1,400 survey forms completed, the feedback showed that one in five passengers would be less likely to travel by rail if the proposals to relocate the station 450m were implemented.

1st East is looking to create a new shops and offices development around the station and to create 'an improved public transport interchange'. And Rail Estate, an independent business that specialises in the management and development of property around railways, has been tasked with coming up with a preferred option for the Lowestoft regeneration.

The firm, which was also involved in Arsenal Football Club's stadium relocation in north London, recently gave a presentation on Lowestoft station to 1st East. Eleven options were presented, and these were narrowed down to four.

One option was favoured by the

1st East board because of its regenerative benefits.

But Joanna Young, communications and marketing manager at 1st East, said: 'The current preferred option does not include plans to move the railway station 450 metres.'

She confirmed the organisation was going out to public consultation on the area action plan for Lowestoft in the spring. Meantime, meetings were being held with interested parties about regeneration around the railway station.

What would you like to see happen to the station? Write to The Journal, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft, NR32 1NB or email mark.boggis@archant.co.uk