03.05.13
£4.25m improvements for Cambridge
Cambridge station is to benefit from a £4.25m improvement scheme to reduce congestion following a rise in passenger demand.
Funding has been released by developer Brookgate as part of a land purchase from Network Rail, and a section 106 agreement between Network Rail and the city council.
Greater Anglia is to deliver the work, providing a better concourse and ticket hall, a 3,000-space cycle park and new station square. Construction is expected to start this summer and will be complete mid-2014.
The project will complement a £16.7m investment by Network Rail to build a new island platform at the station to accommodate 12-carriage trains.
Richard Schofield, Network Rail route managing director, said: “Cambridge station is one of the busiest stations in the east of England and this investment will make a positive difference for passengers, particularly as the number of people using the railway continues to grow. These improvements will be a further boost to Cambridge's economy bringing benefits to passengers and the wider community.”
Alan Pickering, head of projects at Greater Anglia, said: “We’re pleased to work with Network Rail and Brookgate on plans to improve Cambridge station which will help to transform the passenger facilities for our customers, reflecting the continued growth and usage of the station.”
Sven Töpel, chief executive of Brookgate, said: “A key part of our vision for CB1 is the delivery of significant public benefits to the city, so we are pleased to have made the final payment to Network Rail and Greater Anglia for them to progress the station improvement scheme. An improved station will make a real difference to passengers and will help to support Cambridge’s continued growth.”
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