Station relocation for new town moves step closer

Waterbeach station is being moved to accommodate the building of a new town

Proposals to relocate a train station to accommodate the building of a new town have moved a step closer.

A full business case for Waterbeach station has been recommended for approval by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP).

The station is to be moved a mile and a half (2.4km) north along the track towards the Waterbeach new town development.

The plans will now go to the executive board, which is due to meet next month.

The assembly also heard that construction is expected to finish by the end of 2027 but it will be up to Network Rail to decide when the new station will become operational.

The joint assembly discussed details of the construction, including plans for car parks and travel links.

They also heard that a separate consultation on closing the existing station to the south of the new town would be undertaken by the Department for Transport.

The GCP has already committed £20m towards the project, with a further £23m coming from Homes England, which will eventually be recouped from the developers of Waterbeach New Town.

Relocating the station is important to the developer as the second phase of 4,500 homes cannot go ahead until it is built.

The executive board is due to meet on 10 July.