Emily DennisWaveney MP Bob Blizzard is to take his campaign to smarten up local railway stations to the House of Commons next week with a crunch meeting with Network Rail officials.Emily Dennis

Waveney MP Bob Blizzard is to take his campaign to smarten up local railway stations to the House of Commons next week with a crunch meeting with Network Rail officials.

It comes after Mr Blizzard presented colour pictures showing the state of Lowestoft and Beccles stations to Network Rail chief executive Ian Coucher at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton last month.

The meeting next Thursday will focus mainly on Lowestoft station as workmen have this week begun clearing weeds that have overgrown Beccles station.

Mr Blizzard said this followed success in getting Network Rail to clear similar weeds from Oulton Broad south station in the summer.

'Both these stations have been a shocking advert for the Waveney area and presented an appalling spectacle to visitors arriving by train,' he said.

'I'm pleased that Network Rail is now taking its responsibilities more seriously, but the glassless 'shelter' that offers no shelter at Beccles station still needs to be repaired.

'However, the Lowestoft problem remains and I will be insisting that something is now done to improve the external facade of the station. It looks so forlorn and really is an unacceptable spectacle for visitors and locals to behold.

'It's a total disgrace. If the building is indeed listed then there are legal requirements regarding upkeep. I want to see Network Rail taking some pride in their stations just as local people take pride in their towns.'

A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'We are looking forward to meeting with Mr Blizzard and we are keen to hear his thoughts on stations within his constituency and will continue to work closely with him going forward.'