Waterbeach Railway Station Relocation Now Expected by 2027

The completion of the Waterbeach railway station relocation project is now anticipated by 2027, marking a two-year delay from its initial schedule. The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has given its approval to proceed with the project, following the Cambridgeshire County Council’s recent authorization of supplementary funding. Initially, the developer responsible for constructing a new town situated north of Waterbeach was tasked with overseeing the relocation efforts, a condition tied to their agreement to construct over 11,000 residences. Nevertheless, in 2022, the GCP assumed responsibility for the project after the developer was unable to secure a commercial funding agreement for the undertaking. Last week, the county council sanctioned a ‘repayable grant’ from Homes England, ensuring that the station construction can commence. The station’s new location will be one and a half miles (2.4m) north of its current site, positioned alongside the existing track and closer to the forthcoming development. Homes England is set to contribute £23m towards a portion of the relocation expenses, with this sum to be reimbursed by developers at a later date. An additional £20m has been committed by the GCP, which holds oversight of the entire project. The station’s relocation holds significant importance for the developer, given that the construction of the second phase, comprising 4,500 homes, is contingent upon its completion. Planning approval for the station was secured in 2020. The GCP is now prepared to advance with the plans and initiate the search for a contractor. Work on an adjacent road is projected to commence in 2025, followed by the start of construction at the new station in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.