COLCHESTER MP Sir Bob Russell has called for rail improvements on the Great Eastern Mainline.

Sir Bob was speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions today.

He said: “The east of England helped boost the nation’s economic recovery, and we could do even more if the East Anglian rail manifesto was implemented.

“Will the Prime Minister encourage colleagues to fund that with modern rolling stock for the Greater Anglia main line, and infrastructure improvements through Essex?”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I want to see real improvements in the Greater Anglia service.

“[Sir Bob] is right about the economy in the eastern region of our country, which has 224,000 more people in work compared with 2010.

“The Chancellor said in the autumn statement that we would provide funding for improved rolling stock, and as well as improvements in Essex we want to help achieve the Norwich in 90 campaign.

“We also want a service from Ipswich that will get to London in under an hour.

“That will take investment, but that is part of our long-term economic plan.”