Cambridge

[sonic2009]

hello all my first ever visit to the station. couldn't help notice how weird the platforms are. are network rail building new platforms? also note to national express why are you stupid enough to have one guy on barriers on a Saturday morning. manic in booking hall glad i just left on the xc to stanstead

 

[mumrar]

hello all my first ever visit to the station. couldn't help notice how weird the platforms are. are network rail building new platforms? also note to national express why are you stupid enough to have one guy on barriers on a Saturday morning. manic in booking hall glad i just left on the xc to stanstead

They're building new platforms opposite 1 and 4, and about time too I might add. They're supposed to be done by December, including bridge lifts etc, so looking to rub some speed in the face of those busway people's faces.

And there's no second A in Stansted. That's rapidly becoming the equivalent of would of/could of etc in terms of annoyance!

 

[EltonRoad]

I just can't believe how busy Cambridge is, it's relentless!

The booking hall isn't anywhere near big enough, and it's not obvious there's a travel centre hidden round the corner.

On the plus side, the M&S stays open late on Sundays so if local you can do your food shopping.

 

[swt_passenger]

Before an accidental duplicate thread gets going, please note there's a current thread about Cambridge's new platforms in the 'infrastructure' forum:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30225

 

[tbtc]

There's a thread on it here you may be interested in... http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30225
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Before an accidental duplicate thread gets going, please note there's a current thread about Cambridge's new platforms in the 'infrastructure' forum:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30225

Damn, beat me to it!

 

[sonic2009]

This is kind of my blog thread for today. Currently on 379010 and 379020 1115 Stansted to Liverpool Street. Very Posh Units. The Duty Manager putting a barrier in front of first class, as a few hundred barcelona fans on their way through.. ")

 

[HST Power]

The new island platform at Cambridge Station (estimated cost = £17.7M) will add two new platforms and could increase station capacity by around 100% to more than 30 trains per hour. The island platform could be inserted in place of two existing goods lines and be built to accommodate Thameslink 12-car trains (as shown on the proposed diagram). More services could then run from Ely in the north towards Cambridge, calling at Chesterton and Waterbeach, so making travelling to Cambridge by rail much easier. The extra capacity (ie more frequent and/or longer trains) could encourage people from Northstowe to get the Guided Bus to Chesterton and then change and get a train to Cambridge Central; residents of Waterbeach would conveniently be able to get a direct train to Cambridge.

 

[jopsuk]

Did you copy and paste that from somewhere? The position of the new platform is now certain (tracks have been taken up, wires taken down), but a station at Chesterton isn't yet, Northstowe may or may not happen and there's certainly no guided busway infrastucture being built east of Milton road (in the North).

(edit- ah, found it, you lifted that from here)

 

[HST Power]

Did you copy and paste that from somewhere? The position of the new platform is now certain (tracks have been taken up, wires taken down), but a station at Chesterton isn't yet, Northstowe may or may not happen and there's certainly no guided busway infrastucture being built east of Milton road (in the North).

(edit- ah, found it, you lifted that from here)

Caught in the act!

 

[LE Greys]

The question of inadequate access might be solved one of three ways. One, widen the entrance, increasing the throughput but not adding extra ticket facilities. Two, extra entrances on the city side, perhaps by pushing the ticket facilities out into the sides of the building or sending people around the sides. Thirdly, by building new facilities on the cattle market side. I would go for the third, since it would also improve access from Hills Road, take in anyone coming from the south and east, thus reducing throughput at the main entrance and might add extra car parking. Two ticket offices would need extra staff, but the costs might be worth it.

 

[swt_passenger]

There's a thread on it here you may be interested in... http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30225

Damn, beat me to it!

Seems we were wasting our time anyway... :roll:

 

[RYS]

The booking hall isn't anywhere near big enough, and it's not obvious there's a travel centre hidden round the corner.

Do you mean the information hut that was on the platform between the entrance and Uppercrust? Because that's not there anymore, it got knocked down and they've put an ever so useful Bureau de Change there now... It does include an extra cash machine though which to be fair is handy.

 

[EltonRoad]

No, it's at the front of the station round the side.

 

[jopsuk]

The question of inadequate access might be solved one of three ways. One, widen the entrance, increasing the throughput but not adding extra ticket facilities. Two, extra entrances on the city side, perhaps by pushing the ticket facilities out into the sides of the building or sending people around the sides. Thirdly, by building new facilities on the cattle market side. I would go for the third, since it would also improve access from Hills Road, take in anyone coming from the south and east, thus reducing throughput at the main entrance and might add extra car parking. Two ticket offices would need extra staff, but the costs might be worth it.

One idea I've wondered about though- would it be possible to have "rush hour only" barried exits at the ends of platforms 3 and 6, with the current ticket hall "entrance only" during busy periods?

Your idea has been repeatedly shot down by the councillors for the Rustat Road area, who fear the level of additional on street parking it would cause- extending the parking permit/P&D system is not exactly popular.

RYS- the "Travel Centre" is, if you're facing the front of the station and are outside, is to the right of the entrance

 

[NSE]

There is an exit off platform 6, used to be open all the time when there were no ticket barriers, but now stays locked shut. It may be opened in the peaks, but I doubt it.

 

[LE Greys]

Your idea has been repeatedly shot down by the councillors for the Rustat Road area, who fear the level of additional on street parking it would cause- extending the parking permit/P&D system is not exactly popular.

Although they allowed them to build Cambridge Leisure Park on the old Cattle Market site (where I would have put the station car park). About as much sense at the Dons who insisted that the station be so far away from the city centre in the first place.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Cambridge is also set to benefit from a booking hall refurb - I think they are opening out some old buildings too to make it three times bigger.

Do have to say the travel centre is very good at Cambridge, it is tucked away though, but still open AFAIA.

 

[Oliver]

Apparently the guided busway has finally opened.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=46271&page=2&highlight=busway

Has anyone tried it?

 

[eastdyke]

This link works!

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49941&highlight=cambridge+busway