Cambridgeshire County Council has submitted the planning application for the new Cambridge Science Park Station Interchange and a series of public exhibitions are being held to help people see the plans and make their views known.
The new station will transform train travel to one of Cambridge’s main business areas, including the Science Park, St John’s Innovation Centre and the Cambridge Business Park. This key project will create a transport hub which joins up rail, bus services, pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The new station will be on the main line between Cambridge and Ely and is expected to 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.
The scheme will include:
- a new station building, platforms, and other rail infrastructure to be used by around 3,000 passengers a day
- the extension of the Busway from Milton Road to the station as well as linking to the new town of Northstowe
- public space, pedestrian and cycle access routes
- cycle parking for 1000 cycles
- a taxi drop-off and pick-up area
- a 450 space car park with disabled and short stay parking.
The station received huge support at public consultation with 90% of respondents supporting the proposal in principle. Since then, detailed plans for the scheme have been developed and have now been submitted.
Feedback from the consultation has been taken into account in the designs for the planning application. Changes have been made based on this feedback – for example some of the cycle parking has been relocated towards the north of the site to cater for riders arriving down Cowley Road, and more sensitive proposals have been put forward for the entrances to the South of Milton Road. The Council has also agreed that the City Council should consult over the affects on Bramblefields Local Nature Reserve.
The new station building will have a green roof and use solar panels to generate electricity.
The planning application details are available on the Council’s website.
Public exhibitions are being held over the coming week, including at Milton Primary School on Thursday afternoon. The full programme is:
- The Shirley Centre, Nuffield Road, Chesterton
23rd July 2013, from 4:30pm – 8pm - St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road
24th July 2013, from 12noon – 2pm - The Trinity Centre, 24 Cambridge Science Park
25th July 2013, from 12noon – 2pm - Milton Primary School, Humphries Way, Milton
25th July 2013, from 4.30pm – 8pm
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Bates, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, said:
This new station will provide fantastic benefits for the people of Cambridgeshire, providing a transport interchange linked to the Busway. It will boost economic growth and improve access to the business area of Cambridge as well as the new Northstowe development. We would welcome your views on this new plan for the station.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Ian Manning, Local Member for East Chesterton, said:
I’ve worked with the County staff and Cllr Bates to make sure residents’ views have shaped the project. I’m pleased the Council have responded and altered plans around Bramblefields and promised funds to deal with any parking impacts the station might have. The station is a huge challenge and opportunity for East Chesterton, so I hope residents read through the documents and raise any issues they have during the official consultation period.
The planning application is supported by a number of different documents which assess the proposals impact on the environment. The results of the applicants’ assessment and the mitigation proposed are set out in the supporting Environmental Statement. This, and other supporting information, can be viewed on the County Council website, Council offices or at the public exhibitions.
All responses should be made to the County Council by 11th August. The Planning Application is due to be debated in October.
