More people are using trains between Norwich and Cambridge

The direct link was started in 2002 by Anglia Railways which was granted �9.2m to buy new trains and run the service which rivals the road route.

More than half a million passengers had taken the 70-minute journey in the first year, exceeding expectations.

One Railway said now 670,000 people use the service annually, a 35% increase.

Clive Morris, business director for One's rural services, said: "We have seen passenger numbers continue to grow beyond expectations, proving that the link has been a great success.

"It makes commuting by train from towns such as Wymondham, Attleborough or Thetford, to Cambridge or Norwich, an attractive and realistic option that simply wasn't practical before the service was launched.

"It also helps to support the economy and quality of life of places on the route making them more accessible and providing a public transport alternative to the A11."