I’m a great believer in developing an integrated transport strategy that makes the best possible use of railways, and I’ve been the chair of the East West Main Line Partnership for some months now. The Partnership brings together the various local authorities and other bodies with an interest in EWR. The Partnership is not responsible for the design and route of the Oxford-Cambridge scheme – that is the responsibility of the East West Railway Company – but we are key to establishing the vision for this vital route.
Today I was briefed about current progress, and will have a further meeting with two planning officers who are now dedicated to the work of EWR and the implications for South Cambs and Cambridge. This follows the announcement from the Department for Transport about the development of the service and includes hybrid battery-electric trains to deliver faster, greener services along the partially electrified route while keeping costs down, a new eastern entrance at Cambridge station and – finally – formal plans for a new Cambridge East station. This is something I’ve been advocating for years and it’s great to see it come to pass. And it’s good to see that the announcements are in line with the submission to the consultation made by the Shared Planning Service on behalf of South Cambs and the Cambridge City Council.
The work isn’t over yet, of course. The eastern access and changes to the central station are now an even greater opportunity to confront the challenges we currently have and deliver a transformational major travel hub for all those who travel into and out of the city. I’ll be continuing to ask for funding for a comprehensive review of this along with the necessary engagement and consultations.
The new Cambridge East station is another opportunity that we have been seeking. Again, I’ll be asking for funding for a comprehensive review of this along with the necessary engagement and consultations. I’ll be asking about the technical solutions of the proposed site due to the big level difference between the rail line and the adjacent road level and airport site, and whether the third party funding can be relied on.
One other aspect of great importance to Cambridge residents is the Fen Road crossing. We have asked for a review and options consideration for the Fen Road crossing to identify the challenges more clearly, and to set out how the access to the northern part can be retained with improved safety, while acknowledging that there is an ongoing rail policy to close crossings like this one. I will keep asking for this assessment, and will share here.
And finally, I’ve argued for years that key to unlocking the potential of the whole region is restoring the dual track to Newmarket as the current single track section greatly limits the number of trains per hour. We’re not there yet, but today’s announcement today brings this closer than ever. I’ll continue to ask when this is going to happen and how this work can be brought within scope or identified as a priority for the next phase.
Being involved in the future of rail in the region is one of my favourite parts of being a councillor, and days like today remind me why.