City’s newest railway station has already halved journey times, say NHS staff

Cambridge South opened its doors in June as the city’s newest train station, but some raised concerns around the lack of on-site parking

NHS staff said Cambridge’s newest station has already halved commutes while debate remains around its lack of parking. Cambridge South station is connected to the city’s cycle network and next to the guided busway system, with Trumpington Park and Ride (P&R) less than 20 minutes away.

Though there isn’t any general parking for commuters – unlike the main station which has hundreds of spaces – there are five blue-badge bays for those with disabilities and space for pick-up and drop-offs. The station first opened its doors to passengers on June 28 with trains to London, Birmingham, and Stansted Airport.

Kinga Bozek, who lives in Trumpington, said she likes the new station but there could be more regular bus connections to the park and ride. The 47-year-old said: “I would like more connections and buses later on because when you come back later there’s a bus every 30 minutes, and it’s a 30 minute walk.

“There should be parking to be honest – or more buses to Trumpington Park and Ride if they want to go for that. But it’s better to come here even if we have to walk, because it’s better than walking from the main station.”

Sue Furnell said it’s her first time using the station but she’ll definitely be using it more often to get to Addenbrooke’s. The 65-year-old said: “I think it’s brilliant – I don’t drive so the lack of parking wouldn’t really get to me.”

Erika Nacario works in Addenbrooke’s and said the station opening has halved her commute from Royston. The 32-year-old said: “It’s very convenient and it’s saved me a lot of time – obviously it can vary in terms of delays, but that’s also the case for the main station.

“I don’t drive at all – the one that drives is my fiance, but he works in Papworth so it’s more convenient for him too, it’s horrible traffic from Royston.”

Councillor Imogene Blackburn-Horgan, ward councillor for Queen Edith’s which includes Addenbrooke’s Hospital, said it is hoped the well-connected station will reduce “parking stress” and “associated anti-social behaviours”.

The Lib Dem councillor said: “With a site that is well supported by train and bus connections it aims to mitigate these issues and support local residents with their wish for more active travel and less traffic.

“Being disabled, I have been able to travel via the new Cambridge South Train Station as it is on my doorstep and have found it easy to use the disabled parking, taxi drop-off/pick-up for travelling home and bus connections to reach the city.”

Cllr Olaf Hauk, ward councillor for Trumpington, said both Trumpington P&R and Babraham P&R are available for rail commuters, with free parking for up to 18 hours. He said the station was designed primarily for patients, visitors, and staff travelling to the Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

He said: “It was not intended to be a starting point for long-distance journeys, which is why it was built without a car park. People travelling to destinations further afield can use other stations in and around Cambridge, or access Cambridge South by public transport, walking or cycling. Those who need to drive can use nearby Park & Ride sites, such as Trumpington or Babraham.”

He said residents in the nearby Clay Farm and Glebe Farm estates raised concerns about parking after the station’s opening, but their roads are still privately owned by the developer, Vistry, which is responsible for enforcing parking restrictions.

Cllr Hauk said: “Motorists who park in breach of those restrictions risk receiving substantial penalty charges. As local councillors, we will continue to work with Vistry and the councils to ensure that the parking arrangements are fair and effective for both residents and visitors. At the same time, we remain strong advocates for improving public transport and sustainable travel across Cambridge.”