Work is under way on plans for a new £28.5m railway station at Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire, a project seen as central to supporting one of the largest housing developments in the region.

Spencer Rail Engineering has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to design and build the new station, which will replace the existing Waterbeach facility on the Cambridge to Ely railway line. The project is jointly funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Homes England and is a condition of planning consent for the wider Waterbeach New Town development.

The Waterbeach scheme will see the local population more than double, with up to 11,000 new homes planned. The first phase, covering around 4,500 homes, has already received planning approval. Local authorities have made clear that a modern, accessible station is essential to reducing car dependency and connecting the new community to jobs, education and services across the Greater Cambridge area.

The new station will feature two fully accessible platforms that are wider than those at the current site, along with a footbridge, lifts and step-free access throughout. Improved links for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users are also planned, alongside a new car park providing up to 280 spaces.

Spencer Rail Engineering will be responsible for the full design and construction programme, including enabling works, mechanical and electrical systems, drainage, minor track works and adjustments to overhead line equipment. The project will make use of piled foundations, steelwork canopies and pre-cast platform elements to improve safety and efficiency during construction.

Design work has already begun, with construction expected to start on site in autumn 2026 and completion targeted for 2028.

Matt Lee, senior project manager at Spencer Rail Engineering, said the scheme would play a critical role in unlocking growth in the area. “This project is key to supporting the future development of Waterbeach,” he said. “It requires close collaboration between ourselves, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and a wide range of partners, and that collaborative approach is something we place a great deal of importance on.”

Beyond the physical infrastructure, Spencer Rail Engineering has committed to an £11m social value action plan linked to the project. This includes work placements, engagement with local schools and a focus on using local suppliers where possible.

Councillor Brian Milnes, chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership executive board, said the appointment marked a significant milestone. “The station will soon begin to take shape,” he said. “This is about more than transport. It is about unlocking new housing and providing sustainable travel options for local people.”

Once complete, the new station is expected to increase rail use while encouraging more walking and cycling, helping to ease pressure on local roads as the community expands.

[picture credit: Spencer Group]