First look at new Cambridge rail station entrance

A new entrance at Cambridge railway station could be open by the mid-2030s, according to a rail company.

East West Rail (EWR), which is planning a new rail line connecting Oxford and Cambridge, said the new entrance, on the other side of the tracks, would accommodate about 40% of commuters.

An eight-week consultation into the £6bn EWR project is opening on Tuesday.

It will be the final consultation before EWR applies to government for permission to build the line in 2027.

According to EWR, the new entrance on Clifton Road would "make the station more convenient to access and more attractive for residents and local businesses."

"The entrance would be fully accessible, providing step-free access to all platforms," it said.

As well as a new entrance at Cambridge station, EWR has proposed a new location for a planned station in Cambourne, a new town in Cambridgeshire, to allow for more development.

The new station would be located on the north side of St Neots Road.

According to rail bosses, the location would "better serve Cambourne", as well as 13,000 homes earmarked for north Cambourne.

The company has also said it wants passenger services to be battery-electric hybrid trains.

According to David Hughes, the East West Rail chief executive, "more frequent and higher-capacity trains alongside a new station at Cambridge East and a new entrance at Cambridge station, will help unlock housing, support new jobs and attract investment".

But the EWR scheme has come under criticism from some living along the proposed route.

According to William Harrold, from the Stop the Arc pressure group, which opposes development between Oxford and Cambridge, local people are "very worried about the effect of the construction on the rural road network".

"Where are the 24/7 HGV routes going to be?" he added.

Hughes said that he "encourages residents, businesses and stakeholders to take part in the consultation and share their views on our latest plans".

The consultation is open until 9 June.

Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.