Rail service improvements and disruptions

Soham station given the go-ahead

On Friday (June 26^th) proposals to construct a new station for Soham were confirmed by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Working alongside with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, who have provided the necessary funding to build the station, Network Rail and its contractor can continue with starting the early enabling works this autumn.

Reconnecting Soham to the rail network will be finalise a long line of work by the community to rebuild the station which was closed in the 1960s. A new station will provide residents and local businesses with better connections and support more investment as part of the Council’s vision for the wider area.

The new station will feature a drop off point and car pack to accommodate 50 vehicles and five spaces for blue badge holders, as well as lighting masts, a single 99 metre platform to accommodate four car train services including waiting shelters, lighting, information screens and a public address system.

A stepped footbridge will also be installed across the railway to join to an exiting public right of way, designed for any future installation of lifts for a potential second platform for any scheme.

VolkerFitzpatrick has been awarded the contract to build the station with the main construction phase planned for 2021. The expected competition data for the station is in spring 2022 with Greater Anglia services starting to call at the new station shortly afterward.

Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, Ellie Burrows, said: “With the consent now confirmed, this will mark an important new chapter for Soham providing more choice for people to travel and offering better connectivity to regional destinations. I am thrilled that, working in partnership with the Combined Authority and Mayor James Palmer, we can now reconnect Soham to the rail network which will deliver significant benefits for the local community when complete.”

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Mayor James Palmer said: “One of my priorities since being elected was the delivery of Soham Station. I know first-hand just how long this project had previously sat on the wish-list for local people, who could be forgiven for wondering whether it was ever going to get built.

“Reconnecting Soham by rail will give local people of all ages and backgrounds more opportunities for work, study and leisure. It is also symbolic of the fact that we can, and we should, be ambitious for our rural communities and our market towns. Putting quality public transport back into these parts of Cambridgeshire, which we are working to do, will support business and jobs, enable much-needed new homes, and improve quality of life."

Images: Network Rail