Yes, for two more tracks, what about the station approach road shown in all 3 options as running under the bridge on the W side of the track formation?Looks to be enough under the bridge from this angle: https://goo.gl/maps/Xx9K1obUiGEVDwgMA
Yes, for two more tracks, what about the station approach road shown in all 3 options as running under the bridge on the W side of the track formation?Looks to be enough under the bridge from this angle: https://goo.gl/maps/Xx9K1obUiGEVDwgMA
I asked a Network Rail representative at the consultation session today, and he said firmly that there would at best be passive provision for this (or anything else that would facilitate joining up EWR in due course). I also thought the three options looked very similar and the presentation material did not make it at all clear what the various pros and cons were - mostly to do with the road/busway connectivity.
£33.60 for 14 days? Surely not that cheap, what am I missing?
4 platforms, so yes actual tracks!So no actual tracks then - can't see many trains being able to stop there. The section between Cambridge and Shepreth Branch Jn is busy with trains already.
The station would have:
• Four platforms with step-free access via a footbridge and lifts;
• Platforms with seating and shelter for waiting passengers;
• A ticket office and ticket machines, along with automatic ticket gates;
• Taxi and passenger drop off facilities:
• Facilities such as a retail/catering unit, a waiting room and toilets;
• Blue badge parking; and
• Cycle parking.
4 platforms, so yes actual tracks!
@MarkyT proposed (IMO) a very elegant layout somewhere up-thread.
From the consultation:
I assume that this will establish a design and cost for the base case. It beggars belief that it would be built without full consideration of both if/how EWR will be implemented, the 4 tracking through to Cambridge, extra platforms at Cambridge (legacy) and all the potential services that the next 30+ years might bring.
NR did publish discussion proposals for all of the latter, a link existed either on the EWR thread or the Cambridge-Newmarket thread but the link is now defunct . The proposals included partial doubling of Cambridge/Newmarket, turnback at Newmarket, thoughts of enhanced/relocated rolling stock facilities etc etc.
Cambridge does become quite complex (and expensive). It's easy to see why the current consultation is basic in nature only.
Thank you so much for that, good find. I just couldn't get there!I think this was the report: https://cdn.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cambridgeshire-Corridor-Study-2019.pdf
So, according to Network Rail there is no need to redouble any of the Newmarket line or add additional services until 2043
And at this stage it is still a developing SOBC, it is a start.6.1.2 Alignment with the Rail Network
It should also be recognised that this study has considered evidence to support the potential for rail growth in the study area to be higher than those in the DfT aligned growth. While this study did not seek to answer the strategic questions for growth scenario 2, it is recommended that, should short term levels of growth align more closely with scenario 2, further assessment should take place (to) consider how these conditional outputs can be met.
Thanks! Had a look through the thread for it but no luck. Recreated and posting it again:4 platforms, so yes actual tracks!
@MarkyT proposed (IMO) a very elegant layout somewhere up-thread.
Sorry! might have been a bum steer, could have been the EWR thread.Thanks! Had a look through the thread for it but no luck. Recreated and posting it again:
View attachment 73061
Thank you so much for that, good find. I just couldn't get there!
Remember this is a basic DfT growth scenario. I and probably others believe that it is understated in which case Para 6.1.2 kicks in:
And at this stage it is still a developing SOBC, it is a start.
I think that integration with EWR Central Section (and the pending Western Section phase 2 come to that) will be a big headache and separating costs will be problematic. 6tph, plus perhaps 1tph freight firing to/from Marston Vale/Bletchley and with 8 car EWR trains possibly on the far horizon too.
If all those Growth Arc homes do get built then 'The Railway' at Cambridge is going to be very very busy indeed
Cheers!
The introduction of EWR (when it finally happens) will cause a significant change in behaviour making journeys become practical as zero or one change train rides which nobody in their right mind would currently consider taking by rail. That alone should push growth above the basic DfT scenario.
It seems strange to me that Cambridge North has good parking arrangements (at least at present given usage) but compared to Cambridge South isn't served as well.
Something new about EWR?Example: Milton Keynes - Cambridge South - over the bridge - Stansted Airport.
Cambridge South is apparently not going to be encouraging outward commuting and no new car parks are proposed for that general purpose (blue badge excepted). The roads would just not cope.It would be very useful to park at Cambridge south and pick up a train to London.
Driving and parking at Cambridge (main) station is a no no unless you head in at 5am. Cambridge North is a pain due to the A14* and the Science Park traffic. So the idea of a south station where I can avoid the A14 or central Cambridge appeals.
* Although maybe the A14 will improve when the current upgrade is complete, but I wont hold my breath!
Driving and parking at Cambridge (main) station is a no no unless you head in at 5am. Cambridge North is a pain due to the A14* and the Science Park traffic. So the idea of a south station where I can avoid the A14 or central Cambridge appeals.
Something new about EWR?
Or perhaps Milton Keynes - Bletchley - under the high level subway - Cambridge South - over the bridge - Stansted Airport?
Will also offer a much quicker route Cambridge - Birmingham and points North-West albeit with changes.
I am watching this with interest. I live about 15 miles out of Cambridge and periodically work in London. Currently I have to cycle to Dullingham or Newmarket and then change at Cambridge. However the service to Newmarket is not brilliant esp in the evenings. It would be very useful to park at Cambridge south and pick up a train to London.
If you think the Science Park traffic is bad, you clearly haven't seen the traffic to Addenbrooke's and the Biomedical Campus each morning....
Depending on where you are headed in London, is Whittlesford Parkway convenient?
Increasing Cambridge to Newmarket services to 2tph would be a big help with this as would improving the parking provision at Newmarket which since Greater Anglia recently started charging the car park in now usually empty but the nearby residential streets full.
It beggars belief that it would be built without full consideration of both if/how EWR will be implemented, the 4 tracking through to Cambridge, extra platforms at Cambridge (legacy) and all the potential services that the next 30+ years might bring.
I'm currently working on the Science Park. Getting onto the site in the morning usually isn't too bad. It's getting out of it in the evening which is hard when Milton and Kings Hedges roads are both backed up.
I've turned down jobs at the Addenbrookes/BioMedical site as the commute would be too difficult what with the local roads and lack on site parking. When Cambridge South open it would make it more attractive.
There are of course about 20 different councils/groups/organisations/consultants that continue to 'investigate' how to solve travel issues and churn out pie-in-the-sky reports from time to time, which is a good way of burning through money without achieving much of anything worthwhile.
Proposals that are either not feasible or that are not affordable tend not to progress. When both those apply then they don't get further than the talking. You are right Cambridge has had a lot of that.Doesn't beggar my belief, unfortunately. In my opinion, the last 20-ish years in Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge in particular, have been a textbook example of doing occasional bits of stuff without any logical thought as to how it all fits together. Joined-up thinking doesn't seem to be done around here, any more than we have a joined-up transport network.
There are of course about 20 different councils/groups/organisations/consultants that continue to 'investigate' how to solve travel issues and churn out pie-in-the-sky reports from time to time, which is a good way of burning through money without achieving much of anything worthwhile.
I think severe congestion is more consistent and reliable in the Addenbrookes area. The Science Park is more variable - it can be more-or-less ok, or it can be a complete disaster. I'm not sure adding extra traffic on Milton Road (the only vehicular access to Cambridge North) was/is exactly a good plan, however, especially as the Cowley Road/Science Park junction is, to put it nicely, a bit of a shambles.
Example: Milton Keynes - Cambridge South - over the bridge - Stansted Airport.
IIRC Ian Walmsley did a piece in Modern Railways taking a swing at various entities which investigate 'this/that or the other problem' and then eventually produce a report which doesn't answer said problem but suggests a further investigation is required.There are of course about 20 different councils/groups/organisations/consultants that continue to 'investigate' how to solve travel issues and churn out pie-in-the-sky reports from time to time, which is a good way of burning through money without achieving much of anything worthwhile.
And then there is the so called 'political imperative'.IIRC Ian Walmsley did a piece in Modern Railways taking a swing at various entities which investigate 'this/that or the other problem' and then eventually produce a report which doesn't answer said problem but suggests a further investigation is required.
He concluded that it wasn't in their own interest to reach a conclusion as that would likely mean they'd fulfilled their purpose and thus no further funding would be available so they'd cease to exist - kind of like writing your own P45
Sorry, yes pedant mode engaged.If you live in generic MK suburbia, a taxi/lift/Uber to Bletchley (in effect "Milton Keynes South") to pick up an EWR service may be just as convenient as getting to Milton Keynes Central.
They really made a rod for themselves in Newmarket by building houses where the up line and island platform was. I cant see how they could expand Newmarket unless they buy back the old station building and the land in front of it, demolish it and start again.
The preferred location for Cambridge South station has been revealed by
@networkrail
. Building could start in 2023, with the station open in 2025.