Cambridge South new station opening

[dk1]

Early days, but any comments on how widely used the station is? Does it seem like there are more people getting off in the morning than getting on?

Friend of mine who lived nearby and has used it a couple of times says he is amazed at the passenger numbers and said it has the feel of a London suburban station.

 

[bspahh]

Early days, but any comments on how widely used the station is? Does it seem like there are more people getting off in the morning than getting on?

In 15 minutes from 4.30pm on the hospital side, I counted 74 pedestrians, 4 cyclists and 3 people being dropped off by car.

32 pedestrians left the station in the same time.

There was also a free electric shuttle minibus, that does laps around the campus. There weren't any passengers on that.

Getting here

Find the best way to Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie. Travel by bus, train, car, cycle, or on foot. Parking, Park and Ride, and on-site transport details.

www.cuh.nhs.uk

 

[mr_moo]

Early days, but any comments on how widely used the station is? Does it seem like there are more people getting off in the morning than getting on?

I live in Shelford and have changed at Cambridge South two days on my commute into London. Busy both days - plenty of people getting off and on. Given it's only a few days in I was quite surprised but it's looking to be well used already.

Does anyone have any pictures or measurements of the gatelines (are there two)? The only pictures I have seen so far only show one gateline with three standard gates and two wide-aisle gates, which seems woefully inadequate.

As I am writing this whilst on a train to Cambridge South, I'll take some photos of the gatelines on both sides and post later.
they are designed with growth in mind and there is space to put extra barriers in in future. tickets gates are very expensive so the current gateline is a compromise between not spending too much money up front and knowing it will be busy but get busier in future. There was some good debate on how many ticket gates to provide on day 1.

 

[MikeWM]

Went to have a look yesterday evening and was generally impressed, certainly has a lot more character and style than the all-grey, boxy, and rather drab Cambridge North. Pretty busy considering it was only day 3.

I do wonder whether the gateline areas will prove to be a bit too open to the elements when the weather is cooler/windier/damper. I guess we'll see in due course. Shame a ticket office wasn't provided - the info desk wasn't manned either, so the only people visibly available to answer questions were the gateline assistants on either side, who seemed to be *very* busy answering various questions.

But the only real negative is that the platform setup, stairs etc. somehow reminds me a little too much of Newport!

 

[saismee]

As I am writing this whilst on a train to Cambridge South, I'll take some photos of the gatelines on both sides and post later.
they are designed with growth in mind and there is space to put extra barriers in in future. tickets gates are very expensive so the current gateline is a compromise between not spending too much money up front and knowing it will be busy but get busier in future. There was some good debate on how many ticket gates to provide on day 1.

I thought Cubic discontinued these E2 gates now, so surely upgrading would be prohibitively expensive now. I still have yet to see the Trumpington side.

 

[neill]

Both entrances have 2 wide and 3 standard gates.

 

[saismee]

Both entrances have 2 wide and 3 standard gates.

I would've expected at least 4 standard gates. I guess it depends how evenly-split the passenger flow is. We all know those gates will never see enough funding for an upgrade.

 

[andy33gmail]

I passed through on the late running Kings Lynn (KLN) to Kings Cross (KGX) scheduled to pass Cambridge South at 9:38

My train was full including standing room, due to earlier cancellations, but I saw few people join/alight.

But of course, I’ve no idea how many people came on other services, as I appreciate is served from a few directions

I’m due to pass Cambridge South at 20:09, quite tempted to get off & have a look

 

[bspahh]

I would've expected at least 4 standard gates. I guess it depends how evenly-split the passenger flow is. We all know those gates will never see enough funding for an upgrade.

There is space for extra gates to be installed if there is money. Apparently, the gates are really expensive to buy, so they weren't all fitted from the start. At the moment, they have some a solid metal gate which is normally kept locked.

 

[andy33gmail]

There is space for extra gates to be installed if there is money. Apparently, the gates are really expensive to buy, so they weren't all fitted from the start. At the moment, they have some a solid metal gate which is normally kept locked.

Yep, some odd choices for initial capacity

Massive staircases on the “normal” bridge, more capacity than Cambridge for example

The “Train enthusiast photos taking point” bridge omits platform 1. Which I guess would be annoying if the signaller gets bored and swaps the platform on a Southbound train; especially as people who are early may well walk all the way to the end to be nearer the exit at Kings Cross


Also a weird arrangement with the non-signed areas which are clearly intended to be staff only but aren’t;

Also noticed a train Youtuber at the gateline, but I had the self control not to bother him

 

[bspahh]

The “Train enthusiast photos taking point” bridge omits platform 1. Which I guess would be annoying if the signaller gets bored and swaps the platform on a Southbound train; especially as people who are early may well walk all the way to the end to be nearer the exit at Kings Cross

That is an emergency evacuation bridge to leave the island platform if there is a fire on the main bridge. Passengers are allowed to use it, but it's not required for platform 1 as you can leave the platform through a gate.

 

[sharpener]

That is an emergency evacuation bridge to leave the island platform if there is a fire on the main bridge. Passengers are allowed to use it, but it's not required for platform 1 as you can leave the platform through a gate.

So where is the corresponding emergency evacuation bridge at Cambridge CBG P7/P8? The island platform there is often crowded and there are commercial concessions there which are more likely to catch fire methinks. Should never have built them without the second bridge (yes I know about the listed main building).

 

[Magdalia]

So where is the corresponding emergency evacuation bridge at Cambridge CBG P7/P8?

East West Rail's plans for the eastern entrance include a new bridge at the south end of platforms 7/8.

 

[WesternBiker]

Well done @mr_moo and the team.

I second that.

I used the station yesterday at around 16:30, and it was pretty busy. The platform indicators were still all over the place, those on platform 2 not showing the Stansted trains, for example (the 16:51 Norwich to Stansted not appearing at all) but the 16:58 Kings Cross stopper was shown for 20 minutes before its departure.

I took a few photos for my own use, which I hope may be of some interest. Good to see lots of provision for litter to keep it all neat and tidy (I don't think I have seen quite so many litter bags at a station before).

 

[William3000]

East West Rail's plans for the eastern entrance include a new bridge at the south end of platforms 7/8.

The plans also show a further third bridge right at the northern extremity of the new station beyond the Carter Bridge. Looking at the plans - that would be the emergency bridge and the existing bridge (extended to serve platform 9), and the new one to which you refer, would be the ones generally used by passengers day to day.

 

[paulmch]

I had a blood donation at Addenbrookes yesterday so I hopped on the train from Waterbeach and I was thoroughly impressed, they've done a fantastic job!

There was a steady flow of passengers while I was there at 1340 and 1535. Amazingly one of the two nurses at my donation was completely unaware that there even was a new station there, but both remarked that the traffic on their drive to work seemed better than normal.

 

[blueberry11]

The platforms (the side ones) seem to be narrower than those at Beaulieu Park, but that's likely because Beaulieu Park has trains passing the station at 60mph while Cambridge South has all trains calling at that station. Surprised that a new station has platforms this narrow or maybe its just the camera.

 

[swt_passenger]

The platforms (the side ones) seem to be narrower than those at Beaulieu Park, but that's likely because Beaulieu Park has trains passing the station at 60mph while Cambridge South has all trains calling at that station. Surprised that a new station has platforms this narrow or maybe it’s just the camera.

The minimum width required for a single sided platform is 2.5m, they’ll be well over 3m, I think this is as shown in the first photo by @WesternBiker . Compare the width of P1 with the part of P2 alongside the stairs, which will also have to be at least 2.5m.

 

[andy33gmail]

The platforms (the side ones) seem to be narrower than those at Beaulieu Park, but that's likely because Beaulieu Park has trains passing the station at 60mph while Cambridge South has all trains calling at that station. Surprised that a new station has platforms this narrow or maybe its just the camera.

From the platform, most of the visible speed limit signs seem to be 40 - so I can only imagine the limit is 40 or lower on the platforms themselves?

I did see a through train, which was announced as not stopping both at both platform 1 and 2

 

[zwk500]

From the platform, most of the visible speed limit signs seem to be 40 - so I can only imagine the limit is 40 or lower on the platforms themselves?

I did see a through train, which was announced as not stopping both at both platform 1 and 2

Sectional Appendix shows 50/60mph limit (except the Up Main, which is 80mph). The drawing is a tad unclear as to where the actual changes in speed are:

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional%20Appendix%20full%20PDFs%20June%2026/Anglia%20Sectional%20Appendix%20June%202026.pdf

 

[andy33gmail]

Sectional Appendix shows 50/60mph limit (except the Up Main, which is 80mph

I stand corrected, thank you… I think

Temporary limits excepted, this seems to be advertising a 50 (not 40) limit to the South on platforms 3 & 4? - so whilst the limit might be 80 on the platform in theory…

 

[swt_passenger]

Sectional Appendix shows 50/60mph limit (except the Up Main, which is 80mph). The drawing is a tad unclear as to where the actual changes in speed are:
View attachment 207056

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional%20Appendix%20full%20PDFs%20June%2026/Anglia%20Sectional%20Appendix%20June%202026.pdf

A 2.5m side platform is ok up to 100 mph. Above that speed the minimum becomes 3m. Was recently discussed in the TPE thread, I’ll find a link:

Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

Duplicate post

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[ac6000cw]

I did see a through train, which was announced as not stopping both at both platform 1 and 2

I saw the same thing yesterday late afternoon (a southbound ECS train in that case) - separate announcements for both P1 and P2, even though it was signalled through P2 (the up main).

I stand corrected, thank you… I think

Temporary limits excepted, this seems to be advertising a 50 (not 40) limit to the South on platforms 3 & 4? - so whilst the limit might be 80 on the platform in theory…

AFAIK, the 50mph signs are for signalled 'wrong direction' movements for trains from the Royston direction reversing in P3 & P4, which can only access the Royston line when travelling south (which has a 50mph restriction around the curve anyway). Trains from the Shelford direction can only reverse in P1 & P2 and can only access the Shelford line. It's basically a minimal track and signalling arrangement to allow turnaround of trains from the south in the during engineering works or serious disruption further north.

 

[zwk500]

Temporary limits excepted, this seems to be advertising a 50 (not 40) limit to the South on platforms 3 & 4? - so whilst the limit might be 80 on the platform in theory…

The Sectional Appendix only shows 80mph through platform 2. It shows 50mph through both Platforms 3 & 4 in the Up (Southbound) Direction and 60mph in the Down (Northbound) direction (I think, it's terribly drawn).

 

[sharpener]

AFAIK, the 50mph signs are for signalled 'wrong direction' movements for trains from the Royston direction reversing in P3 & P4, which can only access the Royston line when travelling south (which has a 50mph restriction around the curve anyway). Trains from the Shelford direction can only reverse in P1 & P2 and can only access the Shelford line. It's basically a minimal track and signalling arrangement to allow turnaround of trains from the south in the during engineering works or serious disruption further north.

It's not quite as restrictive as that. If the Traksy layout is to be believed Shepreth Branch Junction allows any physical movement except P3/P4 to the Up Liverpool Street line and v-v. Of course not all may be signalled.

 

[Wandering Pom]

It's not quite as restrictive as that. If the Traksy layout is to be believed Shepreth Branch Junction allows any physical movement except P3/P4 to the Up Liverpool Street line and v-v. Of course not all may be signalled.

Traksy has it wrong, unfortunately: there is only one crossover at Shepreth Branch Junction, as shown on the Sectional Appendix excerpt previously posted. The junction was remodelled as part of the project; I suspect some confusion crept in at one of the intermediate stages, when the new points and crossover (further north than the old ones) had been installed but were not yet in use.

 

[zwk500]

It's not quite as restrictive as that. If the Traksy layout is to be believed Shepreth Branch Junction allows any physical movement except P3/P4 to the Up Liverpool Street line and v-v. Of course not all may be signalled.

An accurate layout is available at Signalmaps: https://signalmaps.co.uk/#cambridge_psb:3445

Platforms 1/2 allow trains to terminate from the Liverpool St side only, and return back to either line. Platforms 3/4 Allow trains from either line to terminate, but can only return back towards Royston (neither branch being bi-di signalled).

@takno - potentially one for the update list?

 

[WeGoAgain]

...and 60mph in the Down (Northbound) direction (I think, it's terribly drawn).

I think you'll find it's 90 Max permissible through there. The 60 is shown as after Platform 3 ends (I appreciate there is no scale).

 

[zwk500]

I think you'll find it's 90 Max permissible through there. The 60 is shown as after Platform 3 ends (I appreciate there is no scale).

It's terribly drawn but reviewing the full image yes, it's 90mph on the down main until beyond the platform. I take it that it's 60mph 'correct direction' through each loop and 50mph 'wrong direction' on all platforms?

I don't suppose you have any idea why the standard directional symbology wasn't used?

 

[WeGoAgain]

It's terribly drawn but reviewing the full image yes, it's 90mph on the down main until beyond the platform. I take it that it's 60mph 'correct direction' through each loop and 50mph 'wrong direction' on all platforms?

I don't suppose you have any idea why the standard directional symbology wasn't used?
View attachment 207069

IIRC, departing Plt 1 is 50. So if going through non stop, drivers would need to slow their train before the 50 board.
The remainder of your assertion I believe to be correct.


And unfortunately not, no, sorry.