BAGGAGE screening and vehicle exclusion zones are set to be introduced at Ipswich railway station as the battle against terror moves to Suffolk.

BAGGAGE screening and vehicle exclusion zones are set to be introduced at Ipswich railway station as the battle against terror moves to Suffolk.

The transport hub which links Ipswich with London is in line for new security barriers, blast resistance work, vehicle exclusion zones and baggage scanners in a bid to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks.

The measures are to be introduced as part of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's attempts to tackle terrorism.

He wants to upgrade security at the UK's busiest 250 stations as well as airports and popular public locations following the failed car bomb attack at Glasgow Airport earlier this year.

As the 120th busiest train station with 2,144,000 people travelling through the building last year, Ipswich's rail terminal has been identified as a possible risk venue.

A spokeswoman for the Home office was today unable “for security reasons” to confirm that Ipswich station will be affected by the proposals.

During his speech to parliament Mr Brown told MPs: “There is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities,”

Yesterday's announcement was based on a report by Lord West on the protection of strategic infrastructure, stations, ports and airports and of other crowded places.

The report proposes the installation of robust physical barriers as protection against vehicle bomb attacks, the nomination of vehicle exclusion zones to keep all but authorised vehicles at a safe distance, and making buildings blast resistant.

N Do you think Ipswich station needs more security? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk