Thetford railway station will become the first to benefit from a multi-million pound infrastructure investment within the town, it was announced last week.

Thetford railway station will become the first to benefit from a multi-million pound infrastructure investment within the town, it was announced last week.

Access to the train station is set to be made easier and safer following the award of £30,000 from a revamped regeneration partnership.

The new look Moving Thetford Forward board will decide on how more than £6m of central government funding will be spent over the next three years as part of the town's growth point status, which will see the creation of 6,000 new homes and 5,000 jobs by 2021.

The partnership, which involved ten members from Breckland Council, Norfolk County Council, Thetford Town Council, and Croxton Parish Council at its first meeting last Thursday - only two of whom live in and represent Thetford - hailed the start of the “exciting” initiative.

The board, which will meet every six weeks, allocated its first cash award of £30,000 to help improve disabled access and security to the railway station by enhancing paths and lighting and assist in upgrading toilet and waiting room facilities.

William Nunn, chairman of the Moving Thetford Forward board and leader of Breckland Council, who lives in North Lopham, said residents would be able to take part in three public consultation events on the town's growth point initiative over the next 18 months.

“This is the start of something big for Thetford. These vital new projects will improve access to the railway station for many people every day.”

“Over the coming months and years, we will see major projects taking shape in Thetford, targeting brown field land, the river frontage, the bus station, green spaces and other much needed infrastructure to make real improvements in the quality of life for everyone working and living in Thetford,” he said.

Daniel Cox, leader of Norfolk County Council and councillor for Wymondham, who also sits on the Moving Thetford Forward board, added that he envisaged a “really positive future” for Thetford.

Only Robert Kybird and Sam Chapman-Allen are elected councillors for Thetford, with the other board members coming from as far afield as Diss, Hockering, near Dereham, Hilborough, near Swaffham, Hingham and Taverham, near Norwich.

A spokeswoman for Breckland Council said the final makeup of the Moving Thetford Forward partnership would be established in mid-May and will involve more community representatives and public bodies.

For more information, visit www.movingthetfordforward.com or call the Thetford growth point team on 01842 756487.