Cambridge

Proposals

During the 2021 non-statutory consultation, we shared our preference for East West Rail to approach Cambridge from the south and we asked for your views on this. We then considered this feedback and carried out further technical and environmental work. At the route update announcement in 2023 we confirmed our preference for a southern approach and to integrate with the new Cambridge South station being developed by Network Rail. We believe this is the best option for the city, the region and the whole of the UK. There are three times as many jobs within walking distance of Cambridge South station compared to Cambridge North station, including at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the city’s largest employment site, which is an unparalleled centre for life sciences. The existing transport network is also more congested in the south, making it more difficult for employees to commute from other towns, and limiting further job creation there. As a result, the southern approach would be more likely to unlock the region’s potential for transformational economic growth and create jobs, attract investment and support the UK economic recovery.

Following the route update announcement, we have continued to develop designs for this section of the route. We are now also proposing works to the existing railway north of Cambridge station, at Cambridge North station and to a section of the Newmarket Line running east. These works provide a better solution for bringing East West Rail services into Cambridge station than the design set out at the route update announcement.

Our proposals for the Cambridge route section include:

• Two new railway tracks next to the existing West Anglia Main Line
• A new bridge to replace Long Road overbridge, wide enoygh to accommodate the additional tracks.
• A new platform, platform extensions, bridges, building upgrades and railway systems modifications at Cambridge station.
• Safety improvements at the existing level crossing at Laundry Lane.
• A new facility at Cherry Hinton allowing EWR passenger trains to turn around.