A preferred location for the proposed new railway station to serve Cambridge South has been revealed and reported in The Cambridge News.

Earlier this year the public had the opportunity to comment on Network Rail’s three options, and associated access arrangements, between Addenbrooke’s Bridge and Nine Wells Bridge.

Almost 1,000 people attended consultation events and more than 960 comments, made via post, online and in person, were received before the consultation closed on March 2.

The preferred choice would see the station built adjacent to the Guided Busway – option one – providing a new transport choice for patients, visitors and employees travelling to and from the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

A total of 94 per cent of people supported the need for the station to be built and of the three options presented, 55 per cent of those who submitted comments supported option one, or the northern option.

The preferred location comes after a review of engineering and design information, as well as the results from the public consultation.

The station will provide direct access to potential routes on the rail network for those in South Cambridgeshire, as well as better connections across the southern fringe of the city.

Network Rail was challenged by the public during the consultation period to protect places of significance, such as Hobson’s Park and Nine Wells Nature Reserve.

The railway company was asked to consider the impact a new station would have on both the environment and businesses on the east side of the railway, as well as to consider enhancing connections for sustainable travel methods including walking, cycling and public transport.

These concerns will continue to be considered during the next phases.

Network Rail will now proceed with further design development work, working closely with stakeholders and funders of the project including the Department for Transport, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and AstraZeneca.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “This project continues to show what we can do when we work closely with external partners to develop the railway to the benefit of local communities and businesses and I’m excited to see this continue as we head into the next phase.”

James Palmer, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, said: “This is the right place for commuters and we just need to see the pace kept up until the station is delivered and can start working for people.”

© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com)

Please rate this article out of five stars below. You can comment too, using the form at the bottom of the page.