Multi-disciplinary engineering specialist Spencer Rail Engineering has begun design work to deliver a new railway station which is vital to the development of a growing community in Cambridgeshire.
Spencer Rail Engineering has been appointed to deliver the £28.5m Waterbeach station project, on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Partnership.
The new station will meet the needs of the community in Waterbeach which is set to more than double in size, with the delivery of up to 11,000 new homes already underway.
The station, jointly funded by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Homes England, follows planning approval for the first phase of the expansion, with up to 4,500 homes given the green light as part of the Waterbeach New Town development. A condition of the planning approval is that a new station is opened on the Cambridge to Ely railway line close to the new town.
The new station represents an investment in future generations, improving access to skills, education and leisure opportunities. It will also play a key part in the evolution of a new, environmentally sustainable community.
Spencer Rail Engineering will deliver the design and build of the station to replace the existing Waterbeach station.
The new station will include two platforms, wider than those at the existing station and fully accessible for persons with reduced mobility. This will include an accessible footbridge, lifts, and improved integration with walking, cycling and bus facilities.
Spencer Rail Engineering’s experienced team will carry out the enabling works, M&E, construction of the station platforms, drainage, minor track works and overhead line equipment (OLE) adjustments.
As part of the works, Spencer Rail Engineering will also install piled foundations for the platforms, lifts and staircases, utilising steelwork for the canopies and pre-cast elements for the platforms to maximise efficiency and safety on site.
The project will also include the creation of a new car park with up to 280 spaces to service the station.
Spencer Rail Engineering’s experienced team have now begun work on the design phase of the project, with work expected to begin on site in autumn 2026, and construction complete by 2028.
It’s anticipated that the new station will not only increase passengers using the rail network but will also boost the number of people using active transport methods to get to and from the station thanks to its improved pedestrian and cycling connectivity, reducing traffic on busy local roads.
Senior Project Manager Matt Lee said: “Spencer Rail Engineering has a strong track record of delivering projects across all rail environments, including at stations, and we’re excited to get started on delivering this project, which is the key to unlocking further development and growth in this area.
“This project requires an excellent working relationship between ourselves, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and wider partners, and a strong collaborative approach, which is something we really pride ourselves on in everything we do.”
As part of the project, Spencer Rail Engineering has also committed to an £11m social value action plan, which will see the business supporting the local community through initiatives such as work placement opportunities, educational visits to local schools, and using local supply chain partners.
Councillor Brian Milnes, chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership executive board, said: “The station will soon begin to take shape – it’s full steam ahead now. The Waterbeach package is not only providing sustainable transport options but unlocking new housing for local people.”
