Second Cambridge railway station plans submitted

Planners said the new railway station would have 3,000 passengers a day

The planning application for a £26m second railway station in Cambridge has been submitted by the county council.

The site would be at the Cambridge Science Park on Cowley Road.

A series of public exhibitions will be held in Chesterton, the Science Park, the St John's Innovation Centre and Milton.

The county council said the station, on the line between Cambridge and Ely, was being planned in with rail firms.

Part of the money from ticket sales would go to the council.

Conservative cabinet member for planning Councillor Ian Bates said: "This new station will provide fantastic benefits providing a transport interchange linked to the Busway.

"It will boost economic growth and improve access to the business area of Cambridge as well as the new Northstowe development."

'Huge challenge'

Ian Manning, Liberal Democrat county councillor for east Chesterton, said: "It's a project that's almost universally wanted and it'll have a huge impact on cutting traffic in Cambridge.

"In the long run, the train operator will pay the council back from its profits so it'll cost taxpayers nothing.

"The station is a huge challenge and opportunity for East Chesterton, so I hope residents read through the documents and raise any issues they have during the official consultation period."

The scheme includes parking for 1,000 bicycles and 450 cars.

The public exhibitions will be held at The Shirley Centre, Chesterton (23 July); St John's Innovation Centre (24 July); The Trinity Centre, Cambridge Science Park (25 July) and Milton Primary School (25 July).

The public consultation period ends on 11 August and the council is due to consider the planning application in October.