The new station will connect Cambridge’s main business areas to London with journey times of 30 minutes on average.
Amongst the deliverables of the project is a new public square as a focus for the transport hub, which joins up rail and bus services, cycling, car and pedestrian facilities for the northern borders of Cambridge.
The main design feature is the perforated pattern in the station’s rainscreen cladding which was inspired by British mathematician John Horton Conway’s ‘Game of Life’, cellular automaton or mathematical model ,which he developed at the University of Cambridge.
In a collaboration with Network Rail, Atkins provided full multidisciplinary design services to Cambridgeshire County Council to deliver the project proposals, which were accepted by the majority of the stakeholders (90 per cent) following the public consultation.
The scheme will have the following features:
• a new station building with an integrated footbridge linking to three platforms and other rail infrastructure to be used by around 3,000 passengers a day
• the extension of the busway to the station as well as linking to the new Cambridgeshire town of Northstowe
• a high quality public square, pedestrian and cycle access routes
• cycle parking for 1,000 bicycles
• a taxi drop-off and pick-up area
• and a 450 space car park with disabled and short stay parking.
The director at Atkins, Stan Doyle, said: “We’ve worked together to create a landmark building which will help transform the area and provide a platform for economic growth. Our design puts the passenger experience first, whilst acknowledging Cambridge’s leading role in the development of science and technology.”
Upon receiving approval, the Council will now be able to move onto the next stage of the project - the construction phase - which is expected to begin in December 2015.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Ian Bates, cabinet member for growth and planning, commented on the merits of the proposed scheme: "This new station will provide fantastic benefits for the people of Cambridgeshire, providing a transport interchange linked to the busway. It will boost economic growth and improve access to the business area of Cambridge as well as the new Northstowe development.
“Delivering this station has been a long term goal of the County Council and we have been innovative in working with Government and the rail industry to bring this forward and fund it.”
Photo: Atkins Global