Additional city station proposed by East West Rail

A test train successfully completed its first run between Oxford and Milton Keynes in October 2024

A Cambridge East station is one of several new design updates proposed by the company behind East West Rail.

The project aims to connect Cambridge and Oxford, via Bedford, Milton Keynes and Bicester.

Other proposals include a new eastern entrance for Cambridge station, locating Cambourne station closer to the town and a mined tunnel for Bourne Airfield.

David Hughes, chief executive of East West Railway Company, said the updates were shaped by a public consultation and they "reflect our commitment to listening to communities".

The design updates follow an East West Rail non-statutory consultation which closed in January

The company said its latest proposals "support the ambitions for the new railway line to play an essential role in the opportunities for economic growth in the area".

It has published more than 80 changes to the East West Rail scheme in its You Said, We Did report, following the non-statutory consultation, which closed in January.

More than 6,200 people took part and there were events at 16 locations along the proposed route between November 2024 and January 2025.

In Cambridgeshire, these design updates include:

• A new Cambridge East station close to Cambridge City Airport, which is due to be decommissioned

• An eastern entrance to Cambridge station, connecting passengers with Clifton Road

• Moving Cambourne's proposed station 1km (0.6miles) west of its initial site to north-east of the A428/Cambourne Road double roundabout

• Changing the construction of the crossing at the A428 Bourne Airfield from a cut and cover tunnel to a mined tunnel, to reduce disruption for road users

• Creating a new road between London Road and Station Road, Harston, along the existing railway land when the rail line moves south.

Mr Hughes added: "From proposing a new eastern entrance at Cambridge Station and announcing how we are considering a new station at Cambridge East, which were both favoured in our consultation feedback, we're focused on improving connectivity where it matters most to provide better outcomes for passengers, local communities and the environment."

In October, the government said it would invest £500m to "kickstart" regional growth in "Europe's Silicon Valley", the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor.

The investments would build on its commitment to deliver East West Rail, it added.