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SUFFOLK County Council have been criticised by a Haverhill councillor over their lack of enthusiasm after receiving a 10,000 strong railway renewal petition.

The petition was handed into both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire County Council but Borough Councillor, Jeremy Farthing said that it only received a lukewarm response from Suffolk Council whilst it was received courteously by Cambridgeshire.

Cllr Farthing said: "This is particularly galling since we would remind Suffolk County Council that Haverhill is actually in Suffolk.

"After all the surveys, studies and questionnaires conducted by them or on their behalf regarding the future of Haverhill’s transport infrastructure, one would have thought they would have show some consideration for a project which enjoys the overwhelming support of the largest town in southern England not connected to the rail network.

He also reminded the Council "all regional and local authorities are actually supposed to be finding ways of reducing road traffic."

The association carried out a pilot questionnaire in the town and of the 166 replies; only one was not strongly in favour of the proposal.

The petition is due to be presented to the House of Commons after their summer break.

Mr Farthing said the real question was could Haverhill afford to be without a railway.