Cambridge North sees continued passenger growth six months on

Passenger numbers at the UK’s newest railway station – Cambridge North – are continuing to grow six months after the station was opened, figures have revealed.

Over 75,000 people have used the station since it opened in May, with almost 5,000 people passing through during the week commencing 24 September, the most yet and almost double that of its opening week.

Train operator Greater Anglia says that passenger numbers have continued to grow above expectations since the station opened on 21 May 2017, demonstrating its importance as a vital point of access to the business park, which was previously only accessed by road.

It is anticipated that the station will encourage new businesses to the area in the future as well as aid the expansion of Science Park and St John’s Innovation Centre.

The station has friendly, helpful customer hosts, waiting rooms with plug points and Greater Anglia is working to finalise negotiations for the opening of a coffee shop and retail unit on the main station concourse. This is later than hoped but a cycle-powered coffee-seller is present at the front of station to offer refreshments.

Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, Jamie Burles, said, “We’re delighted that Cambridge North is proving popular beyond our initial expectations and that it is benefitting residents and local businesses alike, opening up new journey opportunities in the north east of Cambridge.”

Four Greater Anglia trains an hour serve the three-platform station, two in each direction - one departure to London, one arrival from London, one Cambridge to Norwich service and one Norwich to Cambridge service.

Four Great Northern trains per hour serve the station, with two trains per hour to London King’s Cross, of which one is a stopping train starting at Cambridge North and one a fast train per hour on the new Ely to London fast service off peak. The service pattern is slightly different in the morning and evening peaks.

In 2019, a new direct Greater Anglia Norwich to Stansted Airport service will be introduced, stopping at Cambridge North, when the company brings in a complete fleet of new trains for all services on every route on its network during 2019-20.

The station also has 450 parking spaces and 1,000 cycle spaces. The cycle shelter incorporates solar panels that provide up to 10% of the station’s power. Local cycle routes connect with the new station and it is within easy reach of the A14 and A10. Metal cladding on the outside of the building and footbridge incorporates a pattern based on a mathematical theory called the Game of Life by Cambridge mathematician John Conway.

Funded by the Department for Transport and developed by Network Rail in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge North station provides an alternative connection point for commuters in the north east of the city and provide improved access and journey times for passengers.