One of the great successes of the Conservative administration, at the County Council, has been to bring about the funding of the new station in Cambridge.

When I first became Leader the new station seemed an obvious infrastructure improvement that would benefit the local economy and not dent the public purse for very long. Driving this through has been my pleasure and reflects our pro business approach to running the County Council.

It will soon become a reality so now we need to find out exactly what everyone would like.

Commuters, residents and businesses are to have their say on the proposed ‘Cambridge Science Park’ railway station from Monday 5 November.

Cambridgeshire County Council is holding a consultation until Friday 30 November for people to explain how they think the new station could change their travelling behaviour, how much they would use it and what sort of facilities they would like to see there.

This will then be used to develop concepts of what the station, to be located in the Chesterton Sidings, would look like to ensure it meets the needs of future passengers and links with the surrounding area.

The Cambridge Science Park railway station is a very exciting project which will have a fantastic impact on the local economy. My Cabinet have taken the bold decision to invest in this major infrastructure project rather than wait for anyone else to supply this because the benefits to all are obvious. Over the last few months we have been working very closely with Government to ensure the station will appear in future rail franchises to guarantee its usage.

it will be important that we hear from the people who will use the station every day to ensure we effectively link train travel to one of Cambridge’s main business areas, including the Science Park, St John’s Innovation Centre and the Cambridge Business Park. It is vital this investment creates a transport hub which joins up with bus, pedestrian and cycling facilities. This will help East Cambridgeshire and the Fens connect with this part of Cambridge, as well as providing an important rapid link for the new Northstowe development. So please take the time to fill in the short consultation either at an event or online – your views are very important to us.”

The station will be on the main line between Cambridge and Ely and will be served by direct trains running to London Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Norwich and King’s Lynn. As well as connecting into the national rail network, trains may also be available to Stansted Airport and Birmingham.

At present, facilities being proposed for the site include:
• an extension of the Busway from Milton Road to the station
• pedestrian and cycle access routes
• cycle parking for at least 1000 cycles
• a taxi drop-off and pick-up area
• a 450 space car park with disabled and short stay parking.

To fund the project the Conservative led Cambridgeshire County Council has decided to ‘borrow to invest’ the money. This means the train companies who will use the station will repay the Council through their contracts to run the trains.

Detailed analysis by the Council has shown that the income from the extra passengers using the railway station will exceed the costs of building the station. The Council will then be able to recover the money invested and in the meantime residents of Cambridgeshire will benefit from the economic growth.

Public consultations will be held at following times and places;

Wednesday 14 November 4.30 – 7.30pm The Shirley Centre, Nuffield Road, Cambridge. CB4 1TF

Thursday 15 November 12 – 2pm 1st floor atrium, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge. CB4 0WS

Monday 19 November 4.30 – 7.30pm Milton Primary School, Humphries Way, Milton. CB24 6DL

Wednesday 21 November 12 – 2pm Boardroom, Innovation Centre, Unit 23, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge. CB4 0FZ

Thursday 22 November 12-2pm Meeting Room 4, Churchill House, Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge. CB4 0WZ