A CAMPAIGNER says he has made a breakthrough in his efforts to change the name of a station to reflect its history.

The station, at St Botolph’s Circus, Colchester, was called St Botolph’s Station until 1992 when it was renamed Colchester Town.

William Jolliffe wants the name changed to Colchester Town St Botolph’s to reflect both its location and history.

Mr Jolliffe said rail bosses still refused to change the name as it would confuse people but he's been informally promised a compromise.

But he added: “The historic 150-year-old little station is to be recognised in some way.

“Very soon I will be personally notified by Jamie Burles, managing director of Abellio Greater Anglia.

“I think it will be the enormous part St Botolph’s took in the 1914 to 1918 war and also between 1939 to 1945, with its huge troop deployment.

“I shall be very pleased if this is to happen as St Botolph’s is the patron saint of the traveller.

“I wrote to Mr Burles to tell him the area of Colchester has always been St Botolph’s.”

Mr Joliffe has been trying to get the station renamed Colchester Town St Botolph’s by November 11 2018, in time for the centenary of the signing of Armistice.

The station was opened in 1866.

Mr Jolliffe, 63, of Mersea Road, Colchester, tried to get the station renamed two years ago with the help of former MP Sir Bob Russell but they had no response.

But he’s been spurred to try again.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We are keen to work with Mr Jolliffe to find a mutually agreeable way to recognise the town’s history. This is currently in the very early stages and no formal plans have been made. We would be keen to meet Mr Jolliffe to discuss this further.”