FOREST Heath District Council is supporting plans to improve rail services in the region.The authority has given its backing to improvements planned by Anglia Railway and has set aside £10,000 from its 2003-2004 budget to support the Rail Passenger Partnership bid.

FOREST Heath District Council is supporting plans to improve rail services in the region.

The authority has given its backing to improvements planned by Anglia Railway and has set aside £10,000 from its 2003-2004 budget to support the Rail Passenger Partnership bid.

Among the planned improvements are new air-conditioned trains and at least eight additional weekday services on the Ipswich to Peterborough line.

Council leader Geoffrey Jaggard said: "The provision of good public transport is vital to an area like Forest Heath and I hope Anglia Railways is successful in its bid for money to increase and improve its services.

"The Council's contribution is a one-off sum and will be needed if the bid for funding from the Strategic Rail Authority is successful," he added.