Cambridge North station passenger numbers continue to rise

Cambridge North passenger numbers are still rising, two years after it opened. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Passenger numbers at one of the UK’s newest railway stations – Cambridge North – continued to grow last year, with almost half a million passenger journeys in 2018, figures show.

Over 488,000 entries and exits were recorded at the station from January to December 2018, meaning almost 5,000 people passed through every week.

Train operator Greater Anglia says that passenger numbers have continued to grow above expectations since the station opened on 21 May 2017, as a vital point of access to the business park, which was previously only accessed by road.

It is anticipated that the station, developed and promoted by Cambridgeshire County Council and built by Network Rail, will encourage new businesses to the area in the future as well as aid the expansion of Science Park and St John’s Innovation Centre.

Almost half a million passengers travelled through the station last year Credit: ITV News Anglia

Four Greater Anglia trains an hour serve the three-platform station, two in each direction - one departure to London, one arrival from London, one Cambridge to Norwich service and one Norwich to Cambridge service.

Four Great Northern trains per hour serve the station, with two trains per hour to London King’s Cross, of which one is a stopping train starting at Cambridge North and one a fast train per hour on the Ely to London fast service off peak. The service pattern is slightly different in the morning and evening peaks.

The station also has 450 parking spaces and 1,000 cycle spaces. The cycle shelter incorporates solar panels that provide up to 10% of the station’s power. Local cycle routes connect with the new station and it is within easy reach of the A14 and A10. Metal cladding on the outside of the building and footbridge incorporates a pattern based on a mathematical theory called the Game of Life by Cambridge mathematician John Conway.

Funded by the Department for Transport and developed by Network Rail in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge North station provides an alternative connection point for commuters in the north east of the city and provide improved access and journey times for passengers.