News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 402 - 30/09/2026
As revealed in the September 2026 issue of RAIL EAST, there have been a total of 300,000 users of Cambridge South station in the first two months — this includes the 110,000 in the first month. Railfuture predicts a significant increase in September and October once the schools reopen after the summer holidays.
On Sunday 20th September 2026 at 10:00 Phil Smart appeared on the BBC Politics East programme on BBC One about about rail freight growth targets. He was interviewed me at Felixstowe Port, wearing his Railfreight Group (RFG) hat — see BBC news story — said that it supported the government's new 40% growth target and believed it would influence behaviours within government and Great British Railways, "What the government's got to do is to make capital investment available for expanding the rail network," he said, explaining that the government needed to start spending the money but added that private investment could also play a role. Phil is on the Railfuture East Anglia branch committee. On the same programme, Cairistine Foster-Cannan, chief executive of Local Government East, said: "Ely and Haughley rail junctions are critical for moving freight from the ports in our region to the Midlands and beyond nationally", a point also made by Paul Simon, of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce who the government target would only be met "by immediate, purposeful and joined-up action by government across all relevant departments". The latest DfT estimate is that it would cost £20m to improve Haughley and at least £500m to upgrade Ely.
BBC East featured the collapse in the train service to King's Lynn over the summer, with Mark Collins of the Fen Line Users Association (FLUA) being interviewed &emdash; listen at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0p6l4qm entitled "Why has the Fen rail line 'never been worse'?" broadcast on 27th August 2026.
An article dated 18th September 2026 in the Cambridge News provided an update on talks to introduce trams into Cambridge city centre. Representatives of the Cambridge Development Corporation appeared at a meeting of South Cambridgeshire District Council's scrutiny and overview committee to answer questions from council members. Philip Harker, technical director of the Cambridge Development Corporation, said: "plans for the future growth of the city, with the government aiming to more than double its population by 2050, would provide more support for a mass rapid transit system." He said they expect to provide an argument for moving forward with the plans by the end of the year, or start of 2027, which will suggest different options. Railfuture is eager to see trams in Cambridge, but is fearful that the bus lobby, which is strong in the county council, may try to force a bus system onto the city. Paul Bristow, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, pledged to build a light rail system of urban trams when elected in 2024.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that, from Sunday 20th September 2026, passengers whose trains are cancelled will be able to use services from another DfT train operator (TOC) free of charge, completing their journey at no additional cost — trains from another TOC other cannot depart more than two hours before or two hours after their original cancelled service, and it must be a service that uses a direct or reasonable alternative route. The existing ticket can be used, with no requirement to obtain a new ticket. This flexibility already existed but was limited to just four TOCs, but now aplies to 13 of the 14 DfT TOCs (East Midlands Railway will join the scheme at a later date). See news story.
Network Rail engineers have completed repairing a major mechanical fault on the 123-year-old Reedham swing bridge ahead of schedule. The bridge carries trains over the River Yare is opened for the safe passage of larger boats. There had been problems with its central bearing, which forms part of the main pivot and helps to support the structure as it opens and closes. The old bearing was replaced during the August bank holiday weekend as part of a complex programme of engineering over several weeks during which the bridge could not be swung. See news story.
Network Rail is planning a major renewal of Saxmundham rail junction, which connects the Leiston branch to the East Suffolk line in, autumn 2026. The renewal in an important part of plans to prepare the Suffolk rail network to support the Sizewell transport strategy, and it will improve resilience and reliability in advance of future freight trains delivering construction materials to Sizewell C. It is currently a manually operated junction and will be replaced a powered crossover controlled by an integrated signalling system from Colchester. To take advantage of the closure, engineers will also be working between Westerfield and Halesworth, installing signalling equipment and systems to as part of the overall improvement programme along the line. Engineers will also be working at Bealings crossing to install new future safety equipment. The engineering work is planned to take place over nine days from Saturday 24th October until Sunday 1st November 2026. Buses will replace train services. The Sizewell branch line has seen very little traffic, with no daily passenger services since 1966. See news story.
The first commercial freight train served the Sizewell C construction site on Tuesday 8th September 2026 in the early hours. The 270-metre-long train carried materials from Tunstead Quarry near Buxton, Derbyshire, needed to help build the new nuclear power station. It used the newly constructed 2.8km-long Green Rail Route (GRR), which connects the upgraded Sizewell branch line directly to the project's temporary construction area, bypassing Leiston entirely. Each freight train removes the equivalent of around 50 HGV journeys from local roads, meeting the project's commitment to transport 60% of materials by sea or rail. Initially trains will make a brief stop at Saxmundham before continuing to site, but after the abovementioned Network Rail upgrades to the East Suffolk Line, trains will be able to continue directly to Sizewell C without stopping. The number of trains using the GRR will increase in phases, with up to four freight trains a day running at peak capacity. Initially, two overnight services will deliver construction aggregates to site. By Christmas 2026, around 100,000 tonnes of material will be delivered to the project by rail, rather than approximately 5,000 HGV journeys. Once construction is complete, both the Green Rail Route and the line serving the ACA will be returned to their original condition. See Sizewell C project article.
The cleverley named 'No to Waterbeeching' petition calling for Waterbeach station to stay open has passed 3,000 signatures. An article in the Cambridge Independent newspaper on 21st September 2026 covered the campaign, which Railfuture has provided supported and funding. The detailed article said: "Campaigners argue there is no economic justification for shutting the station, which served 370,000 journeys in 2025 and received £7million of public funding in 2020 to lengthen its platforms. Demolition costs are estimated at £2m, which campaigners say would cover the station's operating costs for 15 years. They also argue that retaining services at both the existing station and the new one is 'entirely feasible'."
Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) is to replace more than 60,000 notorious thin and hard 'ironing-board' standard class seats on all 115 class 700 Thameslink trains with thicker cushions and improved winged backrests to give passengers a more comfortable journey (see BBC report from 26th August 2026, which refers to Railfuture's criticism of the seats back in 2014 that said "We found the seats very hard and imagine this will soon lead to complaints from passengers, particularly bearing in mind that some journeys on these trains will be up to 130 miles long...we strongly urge reconsideration of the design before series production takes place","). The work will be rolled out from 2027 (phased over two years to avoid disrupting services) alongside. The new seat cushions have been agreed under a pre-existing contract between GTR and Siemens Mobility, meaning the upgrades to ther trains, which were built in 2013 and rolled out between 2016 and 2019, come at no additional cost to taxpayers. A further £3.6million is being spent on the fleet to revamp exteriors, alongside refreshing onboard facilities including toilets, with new wall vinyls installed to deter graffiti and anti-social behaviour. So far, GTR has refreshed just under half of exteriors on its full fleet and nearly 300 train toilet interiors. See news story from Rail Busibess Daily on 11th September 2026.
On-going improvements to Great Yarmouth station were mentioned in [Snippets 399]. The major refurbishment is now complete.
A new community lending scheme has opened at Wivenhoe railway station (on the route between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea / Walton-on-the-Naze), following funding from Greater Anglia. The 'Library of Things' offers household items, tools and equipment for local people to borrow, rather than buying new. It includes items such as power tools, gardening equipment, and household gadgets. Operating like a traditional library, it helps people to save money, free up storage space, and reduce waste. Details about the facility can be found at https://wivenhoe.libraryofthings.co.uk. Also, see the news story.
Part of Colchester railway station's car park closed in July 2024 after a structural survey of the decked area identified potential deterioration. The decked car park structure in that part of the car park has been demolished with a temporary access and exit road for motorists and a new pedestrian walkway. Work to reinstate is finally underway, with additional car parking spaces being opened in phases. In the meantime, other parts of the station car park have sufficient capacity to accommodate the vehicles that previously parked in the affected area. The pick up/drop off area will be closed from 14th September until 2nd October 2026 to allow a new drainage connection to be installed. The upgrade will increase the overall number of accessible parking bays. There will also be new pedestrian routes, improved lighting and CCTV, along with new cycle and motorcycle parking. See Greater Anglia article.
As mentioned in [Snippets 400], Greater Anglia (GA) class 720 trains are now available to be used on the c2c routes. GA's 720s have PANDAS-V technology equipment (a camera and a sensor) on the top of the trains to continuously look at the pantograph and how it interacts with the overhead line (OLE) recording high-resolution video and accurate location — something that the c2c trains do not have — so a GA trains will periodically be running on c2c routes to check for OLE faults and also the London Overground 'Mildmay' line, hopefully enabling engineers to fix faults before they lead to major disruption. Ga's tria has also performed special runs on the Fen Line to King's Lynn. GA says that this technology has helped to prevent 15 overhead line incidents on Greater Anglia since November 2025. See news story. The GBR Anglia press release said that PANDAS-V will be installed on two c2c trains later in 2026, which will enable the lines between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness to be covered every day.
The Transport & Works Act order for the proposed C2C (Cambridge to Cambourne) busway has been granted, with powers to compulsorily purchase land and fell hundreds of mature trees across Madingley Hill and Coton Orchard. The Secretary of State accepted that the harm is likely permanent, but approved it anyway. See order document.
STATIONS
Waterbeach station closure consultation likely to be after new station opens
Keywords: [WaterbeachStation]
The September 2026 issue (211) of RAIL EAST had an article on Network Rail's (NR) attitude on Waterbeach (village) station once the new station opened, and it was quite ctritical. NR said that it was not (eaisly) possible to timetable trains to stop at both stations, so the existing one must close.
Network Rail had been adamant that the existing Waterbeach village station would close at the same time as the new Waterbeach town station opens, scheduled for 2028, but common sense seems to have prevailed. A public consultation, led by the Department for Transport (DfT) on the closure will be held after the new station opens, although it is not clear whether the service on the existing station will be reduced — legally, it only needs one train to call in one direction per week to avoid having to close it. The DfT said that Network Rail would weigh the costs and benefits of keeping the station open before submitting a closure proposal to the secretary of state for a final decision to be made.
A BBC news article quoted Village residents as saying the closure plans as "disgraceful", saying it will leave them feeling "isolated" and make life "an absolute misery", with people forced to drive there, which would be a "massive inconvenience". South Cambridgeshire District Council approved up to 4,500 homes as part of the Waterbeach New Town development in 2024 under the condition that no houses would be occupied until a new station opens. Development will be gradual, with homes nearest the new station will not be built until the mid-2030s.
The new station will be 2.4km north of the existing one, with have wider platforms, an accessible footbridge and lifts, 100 cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging points.
News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwyz6vx7kr0o
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/plan-close-station-branded-disgraceful-34625268.
On 22 September 2026 there was an 'engagement day' between 10:00 and 20:00 in Waterbeach about the construction of the new station. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's breakfast show with Dotty McLeod broadcast live twice from the entrance to the existing station. Reporter Tom Jackson interviewed James Dennison, Waterbeach parish councillor, who said the new devleopment will not be complete for a decade, with people "walking through a dark, cold field to get to the new station". He also explained that although the new station would be 2.5km north of the current station as the crow flies, but it would take a lot longer to reach it so people will have to get there by car. The reporter then asked several users at the station about their concerns, one of whom said "this has been a commuter station for hundreds of years, and just because there is a new town doesn't mean that people should have their station taken away from them." No-one said the new station would be nearer from then, with one user claimed that she would face a 30-minute walk to the new station. Rob Jones, whom with John Catermole, was behind the petition to keep the current station open as also interviewed. Lastly, Cllr Brian Milnes, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership (CRP), who basically washed his hands on the decision to close the station, staying neutral on the issue of how many stations were available saying that closure was a matter for the Department for Transport (DfT). Asked about the new station, he said there would be secure cycle parking spaces, EV charging points, designed around active travel (walking and cycling) with bus facilities.
East West Railway Company revises it proposals for car parking at the revamped Bedford station
Keywords: [BedfordStation]
The East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has revealed revised proposals for car parking at Bedford station, after consultation and engagement with local communities, Bedford Borough Council, MPs and other stakeholders. It now proposes a six-storey car park designed to be a similar height to some of the existing buildings on the street, having 435 spaces, along with 192 spaces on ground-level parking on Ashburnham Road, on the eastern side of the railway, comprising 70% of the parking, The remaining 30% of car parking spaces(273) would be provided in a surface car park off Ford End Road on the eastern side of the railway. The would be a total of 900 spaces as well as three active travel hubs, two on the west and one on the eastern side.
In its 2024 consultation, EWR Co had proposed an eight-storey car park on Ashburnham Road on the site of the current station car park, but feedback from the public and stakeholders raised concerns that too much traffic would be centred on one location and that the car park building was too tall. The 2026 consultation proposed alternative plans for a multi-storey car park with 1,200 spaces in Ford End Road, but feedback suggested it could cause traffic issues through the Queen's Park area.
News: https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/east-west-rail-reveals-new-car-parking-plans-for-bedford-station/.
Could new development beside railway boost Cambridge North station patronage even further?
Keywords: [CambridgeNorthStation]
Bidwells, on behalf of applicants Brookgate, has proposed to build a large employment-led industrial estate on 2.78 hectares of unoccupied brownfieldland on the north side of Cowley Road in Cambridge, close to Cambridge North station. If approved, the site will consist of five to 13 units and ancillary office space. The type of employment the site could be used for is unknown — offices will attract the largest number of rail users, but a business servicing vehicle-based cusromers, will not. Railfuture argues that the important thing is for land near to railway stations to attract rail users, although if the devlopment employed peope living in nearby apartments close to the railway it would have the advantage of those employees not needing regular use of a car. The proposal includes a new access road from Cowley Road. Railfuture would like to see such a road extended as a bridge over the railway so that the Fen Road level crossing can be closed, allowing more trains to run.
News: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/industrial-estate-could-built-near-34615085.
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 402 - 30/09/2026
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