The station will be moved as part of plans to build 4,500 new homes
Designs for the new station at Waterbeach could now include a waiting room, toilets, and space for a mobile café. The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has proposed in a paper to its joint assembly to enhance the station design.
The GCP said it is working with partners to secure the funding needed to maintain the proposed new facilities. If this is obtained and the GCP board approves the further development of the proposals, the next step will be to finalise the design.
Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of GCP Programme, said: “A station waiting room to keep you warm and dry or a cup of coffee to help with the commute, are all things that encourage you to travel by train – especially on a chilly wintery morning.
“We’ve listened to residents about what they think is important to make their journey as easy, comfortable and pleasant as possible. We have incorporated many of these ideas in our proposals which we believe will make the new station even more useful as people look to travel more sustainably.”
The new station is jointly funded by the GCP and Homes England. According to the GCP, it will have wider platforms, an accessible footbridge and lifts, 100 cycle spaces, and electric vehicle charging points. It will also be integrated with walking, cycling, and bus facilities.
A GCP spokesperson said: “Work has already started on the temporary haul road which will take construction traffic direct from the A10 to the new station. The 3.1 km haul road, which uses part of the former RAF Waterbeach airfield taxiway as a foundation, will minimise disruption to residents in Waterbeach village. The road is being built by Winvic Construction and is funded by Homes England.”
Waterbeach is expected to more than double in size over the next 20 years as development continues. The GCP said moving the station to a new location was a key part of unlocking planning approval.
A spokesperson added: “As a result, the station project is helping to deliver 4,500 new homes, almost half of the 11,000 homes to be delivered in the area over the next 20 years. The process to close the existing station is being led by the Department for Transport. Any closure will not take place until the new station is operational.
“A package of transport projects are being delivered in Waterbeach by the Greater Cambridge Partnership, including a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway. These projects will be integrated and will give people a range of ways to travel into the city centre sustainably.”