A CAMPAIGN has been set up to increase investment in the railways across Essex.

Regional Cities East, a pressure group which includes Southend and Colchester, is pressing for improvements to the infrastructure across the region, rather than just spending money on major improvements such as Crossrail.

Director of Regional Cities East, Neil Darwin, said: “Smaller cities will be vital to the country’s recovery from recession, but only if the right type of rail capacity is in place to serve them.”

John Lamb, Southend councillor in charge of regeneration, said he supported the plans.

He added: “If we are to become greener, we need to encourage people to leave their cars behind and use public services, and unless the facilities are improved, this won’t happen.”

Over the coming months, the campaign will hold a parliamentary seminar discussing the infrastructure needs of smaller cities, and a Westminster event, where ministers will answer questions on transport policy.

The aims are to improve journey times, increase carriage capacity, secure more investment in track infrastructure and improve stations and trains.