Greater Anglia will be providing an hourly Sunday service to/from West Runton (between Cromer and Sheringham) on the North Norfolk coast from December 2025, fulfilling local aspirations for a more frequent Sunday service – and doubling journey options from the current two hourly frequency.
Local stakeholders and residents are keen to see an hourly service frequency at the station, which is already in place on Mondays to Saturdays, extended to seven days a week, so Greater Anglia has responded, as soon as practically possible, to add in extra services from the December 2025 timetable change on Sunday 14 December onwards. The attractive village has also become popular for walkers using the Coastal Path, so the additional stops will provide additional options for those using public transport to get to and from their walks.
The area, although especially popular in the summer, is now becoming an all-year around destination for short breaks and day trips, served by a very reliable and attractive rail service on the Bittern Line between Norwich and Sheringham, using Greater Anglia’s high quality bi-mode trains. Annual punctuality consistently averages over 95% and the new, longer, more comfortable trains that were introduced in 2019 have markedly improved the journey experience for passengers using the line.
The route, and the communities and attractions along it, are also promoted by the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership, which has been helping to support and develop the line, consistent with local aspirations, since it was founded in 1997.
Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said:
“We are pleased to be able to confirm that from this December West Runton will benefit from an hourly service on Sundays, giving it an hourly service seven days a week. Wherever practical, we try to develop and improve services in line with local needs, so we’re glad that we can provide this enhancement, which follows local feedback about service aspirations.
“We will keep on working to build the success of the Bittern Line. The progressive improvements we have made over the last 30 years have helped increase passenger numbers on the line from around 200,000 journeys a year in 1994 to over 700,000 now.”
Chair of the Bittern line Community Rail Partnership, David Pearce has welcomed the news;
“The Partnership has been pressing for an hourly Sunday service at West Runton for some four years, this positive change will be of enormous benefit to the local community and tourism along the Bittern Line.
“We appreciate that changing a timetable is not a simple thing to do and were originally told this would be dependent on a re-cast of the East Coast Mainline timetable, we are therefore extremely grateful to Greater Anglia and their train planners for finding a way forward and will be working with our stakeholders and the Railway to publicise the additional services when they commence in December.”