Waterbeach to Cambridge: background
A new travel route between Waterbeach and Cambridge
The route includes:
- a busway connecting the new town of Waterbeach, Landbeach to north Cambridge,
- a travel hub west of the A10 near Denny End Road in Waterbeach,
- a path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders along the new busway.
Our route links to Cambridge Research Park and the relocated Waterbeach railway station.
In Cambridge it connects to the existing busway serving Cambridge Regional College, the Science Park, Cambridge North station, and the city centre.
Benefits
- Quick and easy – frequent 'turn up and go' bus services on mostly traffic-free routes
- Reliable – buses won’t get stuck in traffic
- More travel choices
- Sustainable - electric or eco-friendly buses, with at least 10% biodiversity net gain to offset environmental impacts of the scheme
What will the busway look like?
The image shows a typical cross-section of our route, which would:
- be mostly off-road,
- have traffic lights at road junctions,
- interact with other traffic only junctions and a short, upgraded section on Butt Lane.
- A verge would separate the path from the busway.
Travel Hub
Travel Hub is to the west of the A10 in Waterbeach, north of Denny End Road. Both cars and buses access the travel hub via a new junction on the A10. This new junction also links into the new town.
Facilities at the travel hub:
- building with toilets and indoor seating
- shelters with outdoor seating
- real time bus information
- parking for 1,600 cars, coaches, trailers, cycles and motorcycles.
- drop-off/pick-up areas
- electric charging points
Our travel hub would use renewable energy where possible, for electric vehicle charging and powering the building.
Why do we need the scheme?
Our key aim is to meet the needs of communities to the north of Cambridge by providing quick, easy and reliable transport options.
Challenges
- The A10 is heavily congested, especially near Cambridge, during peak times.
- The railway between Waterbeach and Cambridge is overcrowded at peak times.
- upcoming developments include:
- up to 11,000 new homes in the new town of Waterbeach,
- 20,000 new jobs in North East Cambridge and
- more jobs at the Cambridge Research Park off the A10.
These will increase pressure on the transport network.
Solutions
- Our new busway and new travel hub
- Proposals to expand capacity on the A10
- Walking and cycling routes, such as the Waterbeach Greenway and Mere Way
- A new railway station for Waterbeach
- Bus, walking and cycling improvements on Milton Road.
Background documents - 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