Officials hope the new Waterbeach Railway Station will be built by the end of 2027, two years later than initially planned.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) had originally said the station would be built by the end of 2025 when it first took on the project.

Now that the £43.35million of funding needed for the project is in place the GCP has said it plans to move forward with finding a builder to construct the new station.

Plans to build the station were approved back in 2020, which is due to be built closer to the Waterbeach New Town development, where 11,000 homes are being built.

A condition was put in place that the new station needed to be built before the second phase of 4,500 homes could go ahead.

Originally it had been expected that the developer would lead the work, but in 2022, the GCP agreed to take on the project after the developer failed to get a commercial funding agreement for the scheme.

The relocation project was estimated to cost £37million, with the GCP agreeing to pay £20million and the developer due to fund £17million.

The GCP also agreed to forward fund the developer’s share on the condition it was repaid.

(Image: Hannah Brown) Homes England has also now agreed to provide £23.35million for the project, including the cost of constructing the haul road to the station.

The money from Homes England will need to be repaid by the developers.

This week (November 7) the GCP’s executive board agreed to move forward with the project now that the funding was in place.

Work is due to start on building the construction haul road for the station, and officers at the GCP will begin to look for a building to construct the main station.

Waterbeach Station relocation timeline

January 2020 – Planning permission granted for relocated Waterbeach Railway Station.

January 2021 – South Cambridgeshire District Council approves outline application for 4,500 homes as part of the Waterbeach New Town development. However, a condition is made that a new station needs to be built.

June 9, 2022 – GCP proposes to take on the project after the developer is unable to make a commercial deal to build the new station.

June 30, 2022 – The GCP agrees to take on the project and the risks associated with it.

February 2023 – Certificate of lawfulness application made to confirm work on the station has technically started to make sure the planning permission for the station does not expire.

January 2024 – GCP executive board hears work has faced delays, but station still forecast to be built by the end of 2025.

February 2024 – GCP papers state forecast finish for the station is now 2026.

October 2024 – Finish date now forecast to be 2027. Concerns are also raised about potential lack of basic facilities at the new station. Homes England also agrees to provide funding towards the project.

November 2024 – GCP executive board agrees to move forward and find a builder now the £43.35million of funding is in place.