First look at Cambridge South railway station as Network Rail confirms second consultation
This is how Cambridge South railway station could look, Network Rail has revealed.
It is launching a second round of consultation online from October 19, focused on station facilities and access arrangements to the site on Cambridge Biomedical Campus .
Lasting six weeks until November 29, there will also be a chance to see how feedback from the first round of consultation earlier this year has informed the current proposals.
The public will be able to view proposals, discuss the plans with Network Rail representatives via a webcat, submit comments or call a dedicated consultation phone line.
It comes after the preferred location for the station was announced in June. The most northern site, nearest the guided busway, was selected after 55 per cent of those responding backed it.
A Transport and Works Act Order is expected to be submitted to the transport secretary next year to get consent to proceed. Assuming it is approved, work could start on the station in 2023 and it could open in 2025.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “I am really pleased to see the good progress we are making to realise a new station for Cambridge. This second round of public consultation will build upon the comments we received in February, test our proposals and make sure we take forward the best station option for future passengers and the community.”
The station is due to have:
• Four platforms with seating and shelter, and step-free access via a footbridge and lifts;
• A ticket office and ticket machines, along with automatic ticket gates;
• Taxi and passenger drop-off facilities:
• Facilities including a retail/catering unit, a waiting room and toilets;
• Blue badge parking; and
• Cycle parking.
James Palmer, mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, said: “I’m proud that persistent lobbying by the Combined Authority has brought this new Cambridge station within reach – and now, the people it will serve get their say on how it evolves. Cambridge South will be a keystone of Cambridgeshire’s future – improving connectivity across our whole county, increasing everyone’s opportunity for sustainable travel, paving the way for good growth, linking people to the kind of jobs they want, and getting them there in a cleaner, greener way.”
Cllr Roger Hickford, chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “We fully support plans to deliver Cambridge South, which would link to other transport projects being developed to give people access to quick, reliable and sustainable public transport services to and from the busy Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We are aware of the future growth in employment on this site and the development of Cambridge South is essential.”
The Department for Transport has provided Network Rail with £10m to develop the plans, with half coming from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and AstraZeneca, which is building its global headquarters and R&D centre on the Biomedical Campus. The government announced funding for the construction of the station in the Budget in March.
The station is expected to connect eventually with the forthcoming East West Rail line, which will link Oxford to Cambridge, via Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambourne, potentially by 2030.
Visit networkrail.co.uk/cambridge-south-station/.
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