The original report commissioned by Cambridge County Council from Atkins only considered travel between Wisbech and March, which did not generate sufficient benefit to make reopening viable. So the county council widened the scope of the study to include for example travel between Wisbech and Cambridge, and between Wisbech and Downham Market. Mr Barclay will meet Cabinet MInister Greg Clark to argue for funding for Network Rail to carry out a feasibility study, the next step in the project development process.
Railfuture are campaigning for the March to Wisbech line to be reopened to passengers to stimulate economic growth in Wisbech and provide access to education and employment in Cambridge. For full story, see the campaign website.
Right answer for Wisbech
Author: Chris Page - Published Wed 09 of Apr, 2014 16:43 BST - (5799 Reads)
Mott McDonald have completed a wider cost benefits study showing a benefit/cost ratio of 3.0 for Wisbech reopening, overturining the previous study by Atkins. North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay (right, with Patrick McLoughlin) described the new report as a game-changer.