Cambridge South new station opening

[Jimcam]

Does anyone know when the cycle path will be reinstated to its original route under the Addenbrooke's Road bridge?

 

[Netwrox]

Does anyone know when the cycle path will be reinstated to its original route under the Addenbrooke's Road bridge?

Doesn't look like they're anywhere near vacating the land they diverted away from. Although the diversion seems shorter anyway. Cuts the corner. But annoying that you have to use the busy roundabout I suppose.

 

[Jimcam]

Doesn't look like they're anywhere near vacating the land they diverted away from. Although the diversion seems shorter anyway. Cuts the corner. But annoying that you have to use the busy roundabout I suppose.

Yes, the access on and off the roundabout can be problematic, and the diversion path has a surprisingly corrugated surface. You don't notice it on foot, but it's a real boneshaker on a bike.

 

[neill]

Yes, the access on and off the roundabout can be problematic, and the diversion path has a surprisingly corrugated surface. You don't notice it on foot, but it's a real boneshaker on a bike.

The bridge onto the DNA path itself is far worse, surely?

And some photos from this week to keep this on topic

 

[UsernameInUse]

According to this post on X, it would now appear that the opening of Cambridge South has again been delayed, this time potentially up until June 2026 due to a contractor going out of business. Can anyone confirm?

https://x.com/philrodgers/status/1986498247804727616?s=46

of which links to this page https://karenyoung.uk/2025/11/06/cambridge-south-station-opening-delayed-to-june-2026/

 

[weeklycommuter]

According to this post on X, it would now appear that the opening of Cambridge South has again been delayed, this time potentially up until June 2026 due to a contractor going out of business. Can anyone confirm?

https://x.com/philrodgers/status/1986498247804727616?s=46

of which links to this page https://karenyoung.uk/2025/11/06/cambridge-south-station-opening-delayed-to-june-2026/

The delay in opening date of Cambridge South Station to June 2026 is confirmed on the Network Rail website.

Cambridge South station - Network Rail

The Department for Transport published a Strategic Outline Business Case in November 2017 for a new railway station in the south of Cambridge.

www.networkrail.co.uk

Planning for station opening
Cambridge South station is expected to open for public use in June 2026. It will provide vital connectivity to the biomedical campus and the wider region, enhancing travel options for both local residents and visitors.
The station will be managed and served by Greater Anglia, with other existing train operators expected to call at the new station (subject to agreement on future service provision and timetabling).

 

[camflyer]

Reported on the BBC

A new railway station in Cambridge has had its opening delayed after a contractor entered administration.

Cambridge South was scheduled to open in early 2026, having already been delayed from a planned opening this December.

However, a letter sent by Network Rail to stakeholders said a sub-contractor was in a "critical internal fit-out of the station's electrical and mechanical systems" when it went bust.

Cambridge South railway station opening delayed for second time

Cambridge South was originally due to open to passengers this December.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[neill]

Here are some photos ahead of the Christmas possession. The landscaping and forecourts have been making progress since my last updates. Most striking is the rate of progress on the new Astra Zeneca building adjacent to the station.

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Edit with more photos

 

[windjabbers]

Just wondering if after the Christmas signalling works if the new platform lines 1 and 4 ? and the additional cross over at Cambridge have been brought into use or is everything still going through 2 and 3 until the station actually opens.

 

[Netwrox]

Just wondering if after the Christmas signalling works if the new platform lines 1 and 4 ? and the additional cross over at Cambridge have been brought into use or is everything still going through 2 and 3 until the station actually opens.

Realtime Trains is showing (unadvertised) stops at 1 and 4.

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All the previously covered up new signalling is in use, including the bi-directional stuff. It’s a bit weird cycling down the DNA path at night and seeing all the changes.

 

[Wandering Pom]

I had a ride yesterday afternoon, on trains shown on RTT to use platforms 1 and 4 at Cambridge South. The new connection from Cambridge platform 8 was used, but the new Cambridge South platforms were not. I suspect this is simply because they're not needed yet, rather than e.g. the signalling not being commissioned, but it would need someone to have a look in person: neither OTT nor Traksy has been updated yet, and data coming into RTT and OpenRail shows "no report" at Cambridge South.

 

[Freightmaster]

I had a ride yesterday afternoon, on trains shown on RTT to use platforms 1 and 4 at Cambridge South. The new connection from Cambridge platform 8 was used, but the new Cambridge South platforms were not. I suspect this is simply because they're not needed yet, rather than e.g. the signalling not being commissioned, but it would need someone to have a look in person

They have been used sporadically - according to the Network Rail data feeds,
As of now (11.20 on Tuesday), platform one was last used by 1T09 to Kings Cross
(starting from Cambridge vice Kings Lynn) this morning and platform four by
yesterday afternoon's 2H26 Liverpool Street to Cambridge North

neither OTT nor Traksy has been updated yet

Railcam's updated Cambridge diagram went live a couple of hours ago, and I updated mine at 5am yesterday!

If you want to have a look at my diagram of the area, feel free to send me a DM



MARK

 

[NSEWonderer]

Saw in a group chat a post of a 379 doing signalling testing and it made a quick stop at Cambridge South.

As part of Network Rail's works to commission the new signalling in the Cambridge area GTR was asked to run a route proving train. This allowed us to get a train alongside the platforms at the future Cambridge South Station for the first time. A small milestone for this exciting project
Dver the Christmas and New Year period the GTR Passenger Handling Team did a great job to keep our passengers moving whilst Network Rail carried out these vital enhancement works

 

[St. Paddy]

Saw in a group chat a post of a 379 doing ETCS testing and it made a quick stop at Cambridge South.



View attachment 195390

Nothing to do with ETCS, route not fitted and no 379s fitted either. More likely checking stepping distances to the platform.

 

[zwk500]

Saw in a group chat a post of a 379 doing ETCS testing and it made a quick stop at Cambridge South.



View attachment 195390

The 'new signalling' being referred to in that quote is almost certainly the new signalling at Cambridge South. It may well have done a series of runs back and forth to test out all new routes.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Nothing to do with ETCS, route not fitted and no 379s fitted either. More likely checking stepping distances to the platform.

Cheers

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The 'new signalling' being referred to in that quote is almost certainly the new signalling at Cambridge South. It may well have done a series of runs back and forth to test out all new routes.

Ah fairs, thanks.

 

[neill]

I had a look today and took a few photos. Trains were running through p2 and p3 while I was there. The new ‘replacement’ park is looking good.

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Edit: more photos of track around Cambridge South.

 

[Wandering Pom]

They have been used sporadically - according to the Network Rail data feeds,
As of now (11.20 on Tuesday), platform one was last used by 1T09 to Kings Cross
(starting from Cambridge vice Kings Lynn) this morning and platform four by
yesterday afternoon's 2H26 Liverpool Street to Cambridge North

Thanks for the feedback. Neither of those trains was scheduled to use the relevant loop, so it sounds as if it might be quite random at the moment. I guess it will only become reasonably predictable when the station actually opens.

 

[Freightmaster]

Thanks for the feedback. Neither of those trains was scheduled to use the relevant loop, so it sounds as if it might be quite random at the moment. I guess it will only become reasonably predictable when the station actually opens.

I'd say so.

If it helps, just one train used platform 1 today (2C49 Cambridge to Kings Cross)
and nothing at all, passenger or otherwise, has gone through platform 4 (most
recent train was Thursday evening's 2C80 from Kings Cross).



MARK

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

I'd say so.

If it helps, just one train used platform 1 today (2C49 Cambridge to Kings Cross)
and nothing at all, passenger or otherwise, has gone through platform 4 (most
recent train was Thursday evening's 2C80 from Kings Cross).



MARK

That was to allow 9S47 to overtake

 

[neill]

There have been a few questions in the thread about new signal placement, numbers, and speed limits. I was able to take some photos today of the section between the junction and Addenbrookes road - hopefully of interest to someone!

I have left the location metadata on the photos so hopefully that is sufficient to locate them.

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Is it possible for the 835/836 signals to display red, the feather illuminated and the calling-on light all at the same time I wonder? (Sorry if terms are not correct).

 

[WeGoAgain]

There have been a few questions in the thread about new signal placement, numbers, and speed limits. I was able to take some photos today of the section between the junction and Addenbrookes road - hopefully of interest to someone!

Is it possible for the 835/836 signals to display red, the feather illuminated and the calling-on light all at the same time I wonder? (Sorry if terms are not correct).

835 - I believe; Yes. Though the 'calling on' (Associated Position Lights) will only be used if there either a train already in the section ahead or there is a problem with the Track circuit. The illuminated 'feather' (Route indicator), tells the driver which route is set.
I'll assume 836 842 is the reverse (coming from the Cambridge Main Station direction and to the North of Cambridge South Station), in which case, if the signal is laid out the same way as CA835 Signal, the same would apply.

 

[Magdalia]

I gave some details on the new track and signalling in this discussion that took place during the Christmas blockade:

Issues with Live Track Diagrams following Cambridge re-signalling

Hello! The live track diagram maps for the area around Cambridge seems to be having issues with showing the points and signals. https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/sbr#LINK_4 https://signalmaps.co.uk/#ely:1392 Does anyone know why?

www.railforums.co.uk

The Open Train Times map has still not been updated.

 

[Freightmaster]

The Open Train Times map has still not been updated.

Railcam, Freightmaster and signalmaps were all updated last Monday.



MARK

 

[camsig]

That was to allow 9S47 to overtake

we have the advantage in the box now to get trains away on time but if we need one to overtake a stopper then we will. we have the workings to use each platform but it depends on the signaller if they want to use booked platforms. As trains don't stop yet we normally keep them on the main. This will be very important for our passengers and a great asset to the area.

 

[neill]

Looks like work this morning to put the top surface on P4.

 

[alistairlees]

The station will open on 28th June (2026!)

 

[Class 170101]

The station will open on 28th June (2026!)

would be interested to know where you heard that from?

 

[alistairlees]

would be interested to know where you heard that from?

Just internal industry sources. It's an actual written / documented date, not a rumour. Obviously that does not make it guaranteed.

 

[mr_moo]

Having seen what I assume is the same internal source that you have, I can confirm that there is a document internally with that date in it, but it also had a lot of caveats on it, and said that it was the earliest anticipated date. Still, it's good progress.

I can also confirm I know some of the detail of what the delay is (and there's more than just the contractor going bust, and no, I'm not going to share these details on a public forum so please don't ask), and the resolution of those issues seems to be being finalised, so I have a fair level of confidence in that date now.