Public transport advice clinic to feature at Lowestoft tourism exhibition

[whole diary]

[Lee]

From the Community Rail Network:

On Saturday 10 July, the Parcels Office Public Exhibition Space at Lowestoft railway station will host a special Days Out exhibition between 10am & 4pm with information available on a host of different attractions and activities in the area along with details on nearby walking and cycle routes.

A key feature of the exhibition will be a transport advice clinic run by members from the East Suffolk Travel Association (ESTA) wherein details of how best to travel around the area by bus, train or even ferry will be available.

With remaining social distancing restrictions introduced due the Covid-19 pandemic set to end in the coming weeks and many more people to choosing to holiday at home this year, the event, which is free to enter, will give the public an opportunity to pick up a host of information on the wealth of attractions and activities to be found in the area along with advice on reaching specific places using public transport.

The event will also be an opportunity for local attractions to share their publicity material and for local hoteliers, bed and breakfast and other accommodation providers to pick up information and leaflets which may be of interest to their guests.

Organised by the East Suffolk Travel Association (ESTA), in conjunction with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Lowestoft Central Project, the event is seen as another boost to tourism in the area after the re-opening of the towns volunteer run Tourist Information Office in April. Since re-opening, the facility at the railway station has welcomed hundreds of tourists from across the UK^▸ (United Kingdom), many visiting the area for the first time. As well as providing advice and information on a variety of attractions, the team also advise on public transport services available in the area.

In addition to helping visitors, Trevor Garrod, chair of ESTA is keen to provide information for local residents too especially for those without a car where public transport is essential. “There are some great days out to be discovered using public transport and often people don’t seek to explore as they cannot always find information on the relevant public transport available. “In the area we have a number of little known on demand services available including a recent initiative connecting Wickham Market station and Framlingham as well as numerous public bus connections from Lowestoft connecting with towns such as Great Yarmouth and Southwold and of course the railways connecting communities through the Broads National Park. “Our aim with the clinic is to give advice on the services available where it is possible to buy add on tickets such as Plus Bus enabling greater connectivity and cost savings.”

Martin Halliday, community rail development officer said, “We are delighted to be hosting this event in the Parcels Office at Lowestoft station, the team at ESTA have significant knowledge of the local public transport scene and it is great that they will be on hand to advise the best way to visit a host of towns, villages and attractions by train or bus.”

Discount vouchers for a host of regional attractions will also be available at the event along with information on other towns and cities in the region including Colchester, Felixstowe, Kings Lynn and Norwich. Local attractions wishing to be featured in the exhibition are welcome to drop off publicity material in advance of the event at the station Tourist Information Office, open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

The exhibition at Lowestoft railway station will be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 10 July, all are welcome to attend, social distancing measures will be in place and visitors are asked to wear facemasks unless medically exempt.

In my opinion, this is exactly the kind of initiative that we should make regular and commonplace right across the country as we head into the Great British Railways/Bus Back Better era.