The Ipswich to Cambridge rail line, which includes 11 stations including Newmarket, is to be promoted as St. Edmund’s Line following a competition launched earlier this year by Greater Anglia and the Ipswich to Cambridge Community Rail Partnership (CRP) to find a promotional name for the route.

Over 1,000 entries were received and by far the most popular suggestion was St. Edmund’s Line, reflecting the history of Saint Edmund who in his lifetime was King of the East Angles and was later canonised to become a saint. His life in, and links to, the area have long been recognised, not least in the name of the town of Bury St Edmunds, and over the years has also been highlighted in names for local authorities, churches, and appropriately, trains too. There have even been attempts to have St Edmund adopted as the patron saint of England.

With these long-established links which relate to the history of the area, the name St Edmund’s Line is a fitting title to help raise the profile of this important regional rail axis, as the CRP works to help promote and develop the line, consistent with the needs of the local community.

The CRP was set up in Autumn 2024 and today held its first external stakeholder event following the appointment of a CRP officer, a chair and the adoption of the promotional name for the line. It will now ramp up its proactive work to promote the use of the railway for work, education, leisure, retail and tourism, to help communities make their station an attractive asset in their area, and to promote the locations along the line.

The CRP officer, Lesley Rayner, is already in touch with many local groups and organisations along the line and the list is expanding all the time. Initiatives are likely to include increasing the profile of St Edmund’s Line, developing promotional materials, supporting local events and improving station facilities.

Tracey Harding, Chair of what is now the St. Edmund’s Line CRP said:

“We were really pleased with the high level of interest and participation in our competition to find a promotional name for the Ipswich to Cambridge line and the attractive locations it serves. The name St. Edmund’s Line was by far the most popular and really captures the essence of the area. It will help us strengthen ties with the local community and increase passenger numbers.”

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs, Greater Anglia, said:

“We’re delighted that there was such a popular and appropriate name put forward for the Ipswich to Cambridge Line. The St Edmund’s Line title will help us raise the profile of the route and encourage more people to take the train, visit the exciting places along it, and support the local economy. We’re sure it will help this key regional rail route to continue to thrive in the years ahead.”