Cambridge: New Railway Station

By Tom Horn, 21st February 2012, 09:46

Plans for a second railway station in Cambridge have been approved by the government.

The new station will be built at Chesterton and be called Cambridge Science Park, due to its close proximity to the technology centre.

Building work is expected to start in 2014, and the new station is expected to be up and running by 2015.

It is expected to cost in the region of £20 million, and will initially be funded by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The cost will then be re-paid by ticket income from railway operators.

Once the station is open, trains are expected to run to London King's Cross, London Liverpool Street, Ely, Stansted Airport and Norwich.

The station is expected to have three platforms.

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, which runs between Cambridge and St Ives, will be extended to the site of the station, to provide an interchange for bus services.

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert told Heart: "This is a really good scheme for Cambridge.

It's something I've been campaigning for for about a decade, right back from when I was a Councillor, and more recently when I've been speaking to the Transport Secretary as MP for Cambridge.

It will mean people from the north of Cambridge will have their own station on a direct line to London, and it will be good for businesses too because they will be able to get into London more easily.

It will also help reduce congestion as fewer people will have to drive or travel in anyway across Cambridge to get to a train station.

I'm delighted we've got the go-ahead from the government."

Councillor Nick Clarke, Leader of the Council said: "I am delighted with the progress that has been made and the positive view that has been taken by Theresa Villiers MP, Minister of State for Transport. 

The support of the Local MPs and the City and District Councils has been invaluable in enabling us to make the case for the station and highlight the massive economic benefits it will bring for Cambridgeshire and the wider region. 

I am now putting the funding in place to deliver the station, and while there is still a lot to do, we are committed to do all we can to make it happen. 

Our initial work in partnership with Network Rail has been excellent, and gives me real confidence that we will between us be able deliver a really great new station and transport interchange, which says loud and clear that Cambridge and Cambridgeshire is really open for business."

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: "We welcome Councils looking at innovative ways of bringing transport improvements to their local area and look forward to working with Cambridgeshire County Council on moving this project forward."