Passengers will soon be able to travel through Cambridge South station after the long‑awaited opening date was confirmed today, Monday 11 May.
Train services will begin calling at the new station from Sunday 28 June, ahead of its official opening ceremony on Monday 29 June, marking a major milestone for the UK rail network and the Government’s rail reform programme.
Cambridge South will be the first station in the country to carry Great British Railways (GBR) branding, symbolising the shift towards a more integrated, publicly owned railway. The station is forecast to welcome 1.8 million passengers a year, underlining its strategic importance as demand for rail travel continues to grow.
Transforming Access to the Biomedical Campus
Located adjacent to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the station will dramatically improve access to one of Europe’s leading centres for life sciences, healthcare and research. The campus currently contributes £4.7 billion annually to the UK economy, a figure projected to rise to £18.2 billion by 2050, supported by a doubling of its workforce to around 40,000 employees.
Cambridge South will be served by up to nine trains an hour into central Cambridge, providing fast and frequent connections for staff, patients, students and visitors. During peak periods, up to 20 services an hour will call at the station, offering direct links to London, Birmingham, Stansted Airport, and international rail services via St Pancras.
The new station is expected to play a critical role in supporting regional growth, housing delivery and labour market mobility across Cambridgeshire and beyond.
A Landmark for Rail Reform
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:
“Backed by £250 million government investment, Cambridge South will open up access to jobs, homes and world-class facilities for people across the region, boosting the growth of the Biomedical Campus as one of the most important engines of growth in the country.
"As the first new Great British Railways branded station, the opening is an important milestone for our railways and a sign of the real change public ownership will deliver. Faster connections supporting economic growth, thousands more jobs and homes, and a railway that works for the communities it serves."
The opening comes as the Government continues to progress its public ownership programme, alongside the establishment of Great British Railways, which will bring track and train together under a single guiding organisation.
GBR is intended to replace the current fragmented system involving more than 17 separate organisations, cutting bureaucracy and delivering clearer accountability across Britain’s railways. The programme is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, by which time eight of the fourteen train operators will be publicly owned, collectively managing over 1,100 stations.
Delivering a Modern, Accessible Station
Jeremy Westlake, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said:
“We’re excited to welcome passengers to this landmark station from next month, providing direct access to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and better connections across the UK and beyond. Cambridge South station will significantly improve travel and connectivity for campus staff, visitors, and the wider community for many years to come.
“Thousands of people have worked tirelessly on this fantastic project to build a modern, accessible and sustainable station that reflects the excellence of the work that is being undertaken in Europe’s largest biomedical facility. It’s been a truly collaborative experience working alongside government, contractors, industry partners and the wider rail network to make this station a reality, and we’re really proud of the result and the role it will play in connecting people to jobs, research and opportunity across the region.”
The station has been delivered with more than £250 million of Government funding, alongside £5 million in contributions from AstraZeneca, the Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority, and the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership.
Keeping Rail Affordable
Alongside major infrastructure investment, the Government has reiterated its focus on affordability. Regulated rail fares across England are frozen until March 2027, ensuring no increases to season tickets, peak returns for commuters, or off‑peak inter‑city fares.
With services starting later this summer, Cambridge South is set to become a flagship example of how investment, integration and public ownership can reshape the railway for passengers, businesses and communities alike.
Video credit: Dept of Transport
Image credit: iStock
