Work to allow eight car trains between Cambridge and King’s Lynn to start this autumn

VolkerFitzpatrick was appointed by Network Rail to deliver the £27m scheme, which will see upgrades including two platform extensions at Waterbeach and a platform extension at Littleport to 167 metres. The upgrade will accommodate longer trains during peak times.

Littleport station will also have step-free access, and there will be new stabling at King’s Lynn to support the longer trains.

Preparation work is expected to start later this summer, with main works starting around October 2019. The work is currently expected to be complete in the summer of 2020.

Once the work is complete, eight-car services can be introduced during peak times to provide more seats and a better experience for passengers.

The work will also improve connectivity for intermediate stations, and support local development and regeneration plans along the Cambridge rail corridor.

Drop-in sessions

VolkerFitzpatrick and Network Rail are running a number of drop-in sessions to provide an opportunity for residents and businesses to speak to members of the project team. The three planned public sessions are:

• Waterbeach: Tuesday 13 August 2019 from 16:00 to 20:00 at the Waterbeach Baptist Church Hall, Chapel Street Waterbeach CB25 9HR.
• Littleport: Wednesday 14 August 2019 from 15:00 to 21:00 at Littleport Village Hall Day Centre, Victoria Street, Littleport CB6 1LU.
• King’s Lynn: Wednesday 21 August 2019, from 17:00 to 20:30 at The Board Room, King’s Lynn Football Club, The Walks Stadium, Tennyson Road, King’s Lynn PE30 5PB.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This important project will enable longer trains to run between Cambridge and King’s Lynn during peak times, providing a better service for passengers with more seats, reducing overcrowding.

“We have worked hard to get the project to this stage and I’m excited to see works begin, which once completed will deliver significant benefits for passengers.”