Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 209085

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co strongly support the Council’s growth strategy (Policy S/DS) which is ‘heavily informed’ by the location of existing and proposed public transport schemes, including EWR. The EWR project will play a major role in helping the Councils achieve their ambitions for Greater Cambridge by 2045.

Comment

Representation ID: 209087

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

The draft Local Plan policies map includes the area safeguarded by the Safeguarding Directions, reflecting Policy I/SI. Following publication of the draft Plan and map, the Secretary of State updated the Safeguarding Directions. The policies map needs updating to show current safeguarding land. Showing the area safeguarded by the current EWR Safeguarding Directions will help those considering development in the area, as it will facilitate early engagement between developers and EWR Co.

Comment

Representation ID: 211882

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co has reviewed the proposed Cambourne station location and updated its design proposals to move the station 700m west to a location north-east of the A428/Cambourne Road double roundabout. The updated station is expected to enable a greater degree of growth, be more consistent with adopted Local Plan (avoiding constructing on Local Green space), have lower environmental impact (further away from Knapwell Wood), be preferred by communities and stakeholders. EWR Co is in the process of identifying how the new entrance would integrate with the wider masterplan area and how it will interface with existing and new local transport services, and walking and cycling routes, including the proposed extension to the Chisholm Trail.

Comment

Representation ID: 211883

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

In the YSWD report, EWR Co confirmed that, taking into account consultation feedback, it is now proposing that the railway should run beneath the A428 and the Bourn Airfield development site through a mined tunnel, instead of a cut-and-cover tunnel as presented at NSC3. This follows further work which EWR Co has undertaken on the method of construction of a mined tunnel and expects the mined tunnel would be cheaper than the cut-and-cover tunnel and would also bring the following benefits; avoid the need to avoid local road disruptions and diversions, reduce impacts on Bourn Airfield, would have fewer impacts on groundwater.

Comment

Representation ID: 211884

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co will now include a new eastern entrance to Cambridge station at Clifton Road, taking into account consultation feedback received at NSC3. This entrance would include:
• New passenger facilities, including a new ticket gate.
• Step-free access to all platforms.
• An active travel hub and direct links to active travel routes, such as cycle lanes and footpaths.
A new eastern entrance offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver on a long-held aspiration for
Cambridge. It would kick start the transformation of the Clifton Road area. EWR Co is in the process of identifying how the new entrance would integrate with the wider masterplan area and how it will interface with existing and new local transport services, and walking and cycling routes, including the proposed extension to the Chisholm Trail.

Comment

Representation ID: 211885

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

As a result of consultation feedback and discussions with potential funders, developers and key stakeholders, EWR Co is now considering including a new Cambridge East station within its plans for EWR. EWR Co would need to secure funding from a third party to be able to build the station. At this stage, the design of this station is still in its early, feasibility phase. EWR Co is aware of challenges
around the site and will continue to explore how this opportunity could be realised to support economic and housing growth in the area. If third-party funding is not secured, the station will be removed from EWR Co’s plans. The Councils’ full support for a new station at Cambridge East is also welcomed, with EWR Co agreeing that this would provide a ‘step change in public transport connectivity’ for the Cambridge East development site and eastern Cambridge more widely.

Comment

Representation ID: 211886

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co also supports the Plan’s focus on promoting patterns of development that enable low carbon transport modes, shifting away from a reliance on private cars, which is reflected in the Climate Change and Infrastructure strategic priorities and draft Policy I/ST.

Comment

Representation ID: 211887

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co welcomes the draft Plan’s recognition of the ‘significant benefits’ that will be provided by the
proposed EWR station at Cambourne, which the proposed strategic development at Cambourne will take
advantage of. EWR Co agrees that the EWR project will make the town one of the ‘best-connected places in the region’, providing an opportunity to grow and enhance the town and increase the critical mass of population, employment and services available to the existing and future communities in the area.

Comment

Representation ID: 211888

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co is also exploring the opportunity for a light maintenance depot (LMD) to be located alongside the
Newmarket Line in the Fulbourn area. EWR Co is aware of the promotion of a potential new housing development to the north of the Newmarket Line in the Fulbourn area and notes the potential for it to be served by a new station. These proposals do not currently form part of the draft Local Plan. EWR Co notes that, in principle it has no objections to exploring the opportunity for a new station to serve a potential development in this location.

Comment

Representation ID: 211889

Received: 30/01/2026

Respondent: East West Rail Company

Agent: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd

EWR Co welcomes the draft Local Plan’s focus on ensuring that land is used effectively when being
developed, as set out in draft Policy GP/HD. In line with this draft policy, EWR Co would support maximising densities around stations which will be served by EWR at Cambourne, Cambridge South, Cambridge, and Cambridge East, as development in these areas would benefit from being in highly sustainable locations.