Issue - meetings

Presentation by Network Rail Representative on proposals for a new station south of Cambridge to be followed by question and answer session

The Committee received a presentation from the Consultation Manager and Consents Development Manager (Network Rail). This is published on the City Council website. https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=122&MId=3717&Ver=4

In response to the presentation members of the committee and public expressed strong concern that the construction site would encroach onto Hobson’s Park.

The Consultation Manager and Consents Development Manager (Network Rail) said the following in response to questions from members of the public and committee:

      i.         The Cambridge Biomedical Campus could use their land as they wished. Network Rail had no control over this.

    ii.         The strategic compound would be located as close to the construction site as possible. This would be the west side of the site, not the east. The intention would be to minimise the impact on the west side/Hobson’s Park.

   iii.         The intention was to use the minimum amount of land for the construction site. Network Rail would regularly liaise with stakeholders regarding progress and construction timetable.

  iv.         The AstraZeneca compound was anticipated to be located on the east side of the site.

    v.         Cambridge South Station could be in place within twenty four months ie 2022. Trains could then service Addenbrooke’s Hospital in 2025.

  vi.         Cambridge South Station was expected to be staffed.

 vii.         Engineers were looking at the advantages and disadvantages of different access routes. Access from the guided busway could not be confirmed at present but the request would be noted.

viii.         Parking enforcement was a council matter to stop commuters parking in the area around Cambridge South Station eg residential areas. The 2018 Local Plan did not allow this type of station to have a car park.

  ix.         There was no plan to close nearby stations (eg Great Shelford or Whittlesford) when Cambridge South Station opened.

Cambridge South Station was designated as a Category C station, it would be expected to service two million people per year. Five million potential users could use it per year. Network Rail were liaising with Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the Department for Transport about this difference in potential user numbers.