Calls made for rail firms to Love Clacton and introduce extra train per hour
27th March 2026
Community leaders in Clacton have backed a report calling for an additional rail service each hour between the town and Colchester.
Transport East has published a report setting out the case for the extra train, and the Love Clacton board has put its weight behind the call.
Having an extra train each hour – bringing the total to three at peak times, and two for the rest of the day and at weekends – would greatly improve access to employment opportunities, education provision, and visitor attractions.
Councillor Lesley Wagland, Essex Board Member for Transport East and a Love Clacton Board member, said: “The rail line between Clacton-on-Sea and Colchester is a vital transport link for communities across north East Essex. An additional service every hour could unlock a wider range of opportunities for communities stretching from coast to city.
“Transport East’s report shows that introducing an additional hourly service is a practical, deliverable and low-cost step that would significantly improve connections along the corridor. It would give residents greater access to jobs, education and healthcare, and could help reduce reliance on private vehicles – easing congestion in and between Clacton and Colchester.
“We look forward to continuing to work with partners, including the Love Clacton Town Board, to make the case for this additional rail service, and will work with Greater Anglia and Network Rail on the steps needed to deliver it.”
“One of our key areas of work to ensure Clacton is thriving is to drive forward a prosperous area; and a more frequent rail service will really help with that.
“It will help workers get to jobs, children attend school and further education, give better options for travelling to Colchester Hospital – for health needs which cannot be met at Clacton Hospital’s new treatment and diagnostic centre – and improve access to all the wonderful attractions and independent businesses Clacton has to offer for visitors.”
The proposal is that the additional train calls at all stops between the coastal town and Britain’s first city, meaning there are benefits to the villages with stations right along the route.
“The economic case has been well set out by Transport East; and we are mindful that behind these figures are people looking to get to work, college, or a family day out, but are limited by a poor transport connections.
“That is why we are backing this report and adding our voice to the chorus calling for more frequent rail service between Clacton and Colchester, also supporting our rural communities in between – which in turn will reduce reliance on cars, congestion and pollution in our district.”
Area rail operator Greater Anglia – now publicly owned – has previously indicated it is open to the idea, which is understood to require minimal infrastructure changes; though to be implemented the proposal would also need support from Network Rail in regard to timetabling and level crossing management.
The Clacton Town Board body has been set up to administer the government-funded Pride in Place programme, which will see £20million investment into Clacton over the next ten years