Heads Up Cambridge
Although following an existing route, the section of EWR from Shepreth Branch Junction (SBJ) (just north of Gt. Shelford) into Cambridge Station (CBG) is £500million project. When we first heard about that, we assumed it would be the end of the southern approach to Cambridge or indeed the straw that broke the camel’s back on CS3. However, the government’s fixation (based on flawed evidence see here and as explained further here) on connecting EWR directly to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus has been used to over ride the recommendation from EWRCo.s own technical partner Arup that the southern approach to Cambridge was really difficult. Not least in terms of how much disruption would be caused during its construction.
Costain performed a “constructibility assessment” for the southern approach to Cambridge and the results of this have been released (at the request of Great Shelford Parish Council). In releasing the information, EWRCo. added the caveat that they are still working on these and that the information provided dates from 2022. These reports (see below) show the many years of disruption coming to Cambridge residents if this project were to go ahead. It involves
- Major remodelling of Cambridge Station
- Re-laying all the tracks in the busiest section of the rail network – between SBJ and CBG
- Temporary closure of Long Road Bridge
- Whatever delightful feature it is that has caused the LIQs to be sent to Cherry Hinton remains to be revealed. (probably a freight loop)
The Core Section (Hauxton to Clapham Green)
These documents mainly concern Cambridge, but there is a document on the whole core section (the new track from Hauxton Junction to Clapham Green) which includes for example the construction depot on the ECML near Little Barford.
For a general impression of the construction of the core section in South Cambridgeshire listen to civil engineer and CA co-founder David Revell and Frank Mahon who experienced the construction of EWR in Buckinghamshire. Here is a recording of me on local TV talking about the warnings we have received from Buckinghamshire. Will we do nothing until the diggers arrive?
One reply on “EWR Construction”
I am left wondering how much these provisional plans would or could actually be modified by feedback from consultations and formal enquiry? Clearly more than back-of the envelope, just the small matter of about £10bn at the time of construction, which I am sure will take place, despite widespread and reasonable concerns, provided the money is found by our friends in the Treasury. Oh hang on that means us. More tax rises then? Despite from Cambourne onwards this is of no benefit .
Mixing local, regional and national could never work, now if this was local Tram trains, metro or whatever, electric of course, with tunnels into and in Cambridge as necessary and local stops, it might be of use?
An East West rail link was identified by Dr. Beeching as a requirement, so clearly a Northern route would be of great use for National rail. It could still be, if heads were removed from the sand.
Town and Country Planning in this area has been a joke since I moved here in 1978, repeated failures with lack of vision and competence from our local politicians, who are beholden to un-democratic influences wielded behind closed doors.
To quote from a much loved TV show – “We’re doomed I tell you, doomed!”