What is the Waterbeach to Cambridge scheme?
The scheme includes a new:
- busway between Waterbeach New Town and north Cambridge via Landbeach and Milton Park & Ride
- travel hub west of the A10 near Denny End Road in Waterbeach,
- path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders along the new busway.
- In Waterbeach New Town, it would link to Cambridge Research Park and the relocated Waterbeach railway station.
- In Cambridge it would link via the existing busway to Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge North Station and the city centre.
Scheme benefits
- Quick and easy – turn up and go service with frequent buses on mostly traffic-free routes
- Reliable – buses won’t get stuck in traffic
- Sustainable alternative to the private car - buses will be electric or to the highest standards, environmental impacts of the scheme will be off-set with a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain
What will the busway look like?
The image shows a typical cross-section of the busway corridor. The route would:
- be mostly off-road,
- have traffic light-controlled road junctions,
- only interact with other traffic at junctions and for a short section on Butt Lane, which would be upgraded.
- The busway would be separated from the active travel path by a verge.
Travel Hub
Travel Hub site C is located to the west of the A10 to the north of Denny End Road and west of Waterbeach New Town.
There are two potential access arrangements that are being explored for this site.
- All vehicles access the site via the new Waterbeach New Town southern roundabout.
- Buses access the site via the new Waterbeach New Town southern roundabout and all other motor vehicles access the site via a fourth arm on the A10/Denny End Road junction.
Facilities at the travel hub are currently being considered and could include:
- electric charging points,
- cycle parking,
- toilets,
- seating,
- shelters,
- click & collect services
Why do we need the scheme?
The Waterbeach to Cambridge corridor is the key route into Cambridge from the north.
The A10 road is already heavily congested during peak times, particularly at the Cambridge end. The railway between Waterbeach and Cambridge also suffers overcrowding at peak times.
There are plans for:
- up to 11,000 new homes at Waterbeach New Town,
- 20,000 new jobs in North East Cambridge and
- more employment space at the Cambridge Research Park off the A10.
This will add more pressure on the existing network.
The GCP is therefore working on a number of projects to address the growing transport needs between Waterbeach and Cambridge. They include:
- a new off-road busway linking the new town with the existing busway in north Cambridge;
- a new travel hub site near Waterbeach;
- the Waterbeach Greenway and
- a new railway station for Waterbeach.
The Waterbeach to Cambridge busway would offer sustainable alternatives to driving for existing and new communities. It would help address the traffic congestion between Waterbeach and Cambridge.
Outline Business Case 2023
Documents 2020
Pre 2020 studies and reports
W2C 2018 Ely to Cambridge corridor transport study options modelling report
13.6 MB
W2C 2018 Ely to Cambridge corridor transport study Waterbeach new town report
2.1 MB
W2C 2018 Ely to Cambridge corridor transport study Cambridge NE fringe report
3.7 MB