The ambitious proposals for expanding the East Anglia Transport Museum have moved a step closer with the submission of the planning application to the local Council. This gives the public the first chance to see just what is planned for the museum with extended trolleybus and railway routes provided but for this website the most exciting development would be the addition of an extra tram route and depot!
The East Anglia Transport Museum recently purchased 2.06 hectares of former agricultural land from the adjacent Eades Farm and it is this that the new development will be centred upon. It is proposed that the new lines for the tramway and railway and extension of trolleybus route would be progressed first followed by the new bus, trolleybus and tram depots/exhibition spaces.
The centre of the new site would be the three new buildings with the largest of these set to the bus depot. This would be devoted to the legacy of Lowestoft’s former Eastern Coachworks, providing valuable local interest. There would also be a smaller tram depot and a trolleybus depot provided – these would be in addition to those buildings already found on the current museum site.
As for extensions of the various routes the tramway would see a new route constructed which would have two forks. Splitting from the current route just before the woods this would initially run along the side of the new tram depot before another junction which will enable it to run to either new terminus. These two new termini will also be connected by a direct route along the boundary of the new site (its difficult to explain just how the new route will be formed in words but the plans – link below – will help you understand more!) This would make the East Anglia Transport Museum unique within the UK by having more than one heritage tram route available
The current trolleybus route will also be extended to traverse the new site – also providing a second trolleybus terminus but also allowing for trolleybuses to continue working in a circuit. The East Suffolk Light Railway is also not being left out with the proposal being that this continues from its current terminus onto the new site with a new platform constructed along with a carriage shed.
The redevelopment will also see a empty space provided for various rallies so that the vehicles can be displayed a lot better to the public.
Initial discussions have already been held with the local council ahead of the submission of plans and the recommendation is that the proposals are approved as it is thought to be an asset. The East Anglia Transport Museum has become one of the main visitor attractions around Lowestoft and it is hoped that this expansion will further cement this position.
There is no doubt that these are ambitious plans but if approved they will help the museum to continue to develop whilst also allowing visitors to enjoy longer rides on all the transport available – something which, as all museums will probably attest to, is often at the top of wish lists.
No timeframe has been given for the works to progress but it is likely to be a long-term project with funding required to bring the plans to fruition.
* The full planning application can be found on the East Suffolk Council website. The actual site plan is under Proposed Block/Layout Plan.
Amsterdam 474 stands at the gate to the new land. The current museum site is behind 474.
London Transport 1858 stands on the then recently laid terminus tracks (before the Woodland route was constructed). This is where the line will continue onto the new site. (Both Photographs by Tim Major)