News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 393 - 31/12/2025
- STATIONS [all issues]
- Spencer Rail Engineering issues press release to promote its £28.5m contract to build Waterbeach Town station
- Formal public consultation launched about proposed improvements to Whittlesea Railway Station
- Signficant improvements completed at Harwich International railway station
- Stowmarket station's new accessible footbridge successfully installed over weekend but will not open until first quarter of 2026
The slides from the Railfuture East Angia branch meeting held in Cambridge on Saturday 6th Decmember 2025 can be viewed here.
On 31st December 2025 the government announed that the Great British Rail Sale was returning for seven days between 6th and 12th January 2026, during which journeys from 13th January to 25th March 2026 could be purchased. All of the example discounts mentioned in the press relesee showed at least a 50% saving, but it is less good when rail cards cannot be used, and although the sale applies to selected off-peak services, most of the discounts that are linked to a specific train, which may not be attractive to people used to the flexibity of a car. Although the same was announced by the UK government, it is not limited to the 14 operators that the Depattymet fo rTransport (DfT) controls in England. For example ScotRail, which is managed by the Scottish Government, is included. This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale, with more than one million tickets sold in 2025.
On Wednesday 3rd December 2025, Anglia Railway was formally established, and Jamie Burles started in his role as Managing Director, bringing together c2c, Greater Anglia (GA) and Network Rail (NR) Anglia Route under his leadership. This lays the groundwork for Great British Railways, which won't be live until 2027. The goal is shared priorities, better accountability and faster decision-making. The c2c and GA brands will continue until the branding strategy for GBR is agreed and then implemented.
On 4th December 2025, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) pubished station usage figures covering the most-recent financial year, in this case April 2024 to March 2025. See https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/station-usage and also Statistical Release. Shippea Hill station (in Cambridgeshire) had the seoncd-lowest footfall, at 76 entries and exits based on ticket origin and destination. The footfall figures for every station in the Railfuture East Anglia branch area will be included in RAIL EAST issue 109 (February 2026).
At GTR's Stakeholder Forum on 1st December 2025, it was revealed that the most-recent 'weekly gate-line numbers' were at 94% of the equivalent week in 2019, showing that patronage has almost totally recovered (in terms of numbers, if not revenue) after the COVID-19 pandemic. GTR has seen 6% more passenger journeys in 2025, with weekdays now growing twice as fast as weekends and Thursday is still the busiest day of the week: 13 of 17 days over one million in 2025 were on a Thursday. In the year to March 2024, passenger revenue was £12 billion with £4 billion of subsidy for train operators. GTR was on £200 million subsidy a year for both the years to March 2024 and March 2025, but it is expected to reduce to £100 million for the yeat to March 2026. In the year to March 2025, GTR's revenue was £2.3 billion, which is 16% lower than the year to March 2020 after adjusting for inflation.
With effect from Sunday 14th December 2025, when the timetable changes, GTR extended contactless pay-as-you-go (PAYG) to 50 more stations across its network. In East Anglia, stations between Baldock and Welwyn North (i.e. also Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage, Watton-at-Stone) have been added. As a result, it has altered its fares to more closely resemble the TfL fare structure. Within the zone, Super Off-Peak fares have been withdrawn and Off-Peak fares have been reduced. Single journeys are half of a return journey and all journeys now have off-peak fares. There is a standard peak times: mornings until 09:30 and afternoons during 16:00-19:00. Railfuture ewas mentioned in several newspapers, having raised concerns that passengers might be worse off with these changes. See article.
According to a BBC news story on 1st December 2025, James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, wrote to the government in October 2025 asking for lift access to be installed between all platforms at Marks Tey train station, which is on the Great Eastern Mainline south of near Colchester. He has called for better accessibility at the station for several years. In his letter, he said the lack of step-free access between the Sudbury branch line and the main line was causing difficulties for many of his constituents with disabilities or those travelling with heavy luggage. Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy, said there were "no current plans" for such a scheme at Marks Tey and suggested getting financial contributions from developers.
As of the start of December 2025, GTR now has 19 class 379 units in traffic. As a result, Class 700 trains will no longer operate on services between Ely and King's Lynn. Eleven class 387 units have been transferred from Great Northern to Southern to support longer formations and additional trains.
Network Rail's C3R Re-signalling, Re-lock and Re-Control project, which has been on-going in Cambridgeshire for more than two years, will see a lot of work done over Christmas 2025. In Cambridge Power Signal Box (PSB) the entry-exit (NX) panel was disconnected on Christmas Day, with the old mechanical relays removed from their housings and put into storage. The PSB is now fully digital. Other work over this period saw the signalling completed for Cambridge south station. The level crossing near Meldreth will be converted (NR says "upgraded") from half-barrier to a full-width manually controlled barrier (using CCTV cameras controlled remotely by a signaller), with new road signs and warning signals, including lights and audible sounds. For the work, the level crossing will close for 19 days, from 07:00 on Wednesday 24th December 2025 until 19:00 on Monday, 12th January 2026. More information about the work undertaken can be read here.
According to an article in the New Civil Engineer (NCE), the East West Railway Company (EWR Co), which was founded in 2017, non-departmental public arms-length body, could become an independent entity of Network Rail as the government is reviewing the status of arm's length bodies in light of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR). The NCE reported that the minutes from the last EWR Co board meeting state: "EWR Co had been created with the intention that its operations were separate from Network Rail. That intention has changed, and efforts had been made to ensure close alignment with Network Rail, highlighting that approximately half of the project by value would be delivered by Network Rail on its infrastructure and the intrinsically linked nature of its end state operations with the rest of network." Essentially EWR Co will remain an independent company but its parent company structure is being reviewed."
On Wednesday 17th December 2025, the Cambridge Independent newspaper published an opinion piece by Peter Wakefield of Railfuture and the Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance entitled "Unlocking the full potential of the county's railway" focusing on the railway that passes through Cambridge.
According to a story in the Great Yarmouth Mercury, a 'Changing Places toilet' has been opened at Great Yarmouth station (a similar one has also been fitted at Audley End station). They are specially designed to meet the needs of people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. Changing Places toilets are much larger than other accessible toilets and have equipment, including a changing bench and hoist, making it a much easier and more dignified experience for people who need support when using the facilities.
The BBC has reported that the Universal theme park, which will be served by a new four-platform railway station at the Wixams and a relocated station near Stewartby/Kempston Hardwick, has been given planning permission. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a Special Development Order (SDO) for the complex to be constructed, with a possible open by 2031. An SDO allowed the government to approve the project directly and bypass standard local planning procedures. About 55,000 visitors are expected on peak days.
On 2nd December 2025, BBC News Online published a news story entited "MP bemused by lack of rail junction upgrade" quoting Charlotte Cane MP, who is leading a debate in Parliament on Wednesday 3rd December about the Ely North junction. The local Liberal Democrat MP cited the business case that "for every £1 spent [the project is] likely to bring back nearly £5". A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said it recognised the scheme's importance and fully anticipated Ely North "will be part of a pipeline of projects to be considered as part of future funding decisions", adding: "There is a strong case for Ely Junction, and we are committed to working with a broad range of stakeholders to support its inclusion in the future pipeline." An article in the Norwich Evening News said that 44 level crossings will need dealing with (upgraded or shut), along with upgrading bridges, signalling and modifying Ely station itself, as well as additional track if the full scheme is implemented. Roads minister Lilian Greenwood revealed these logistical challenges during a Parliamentary debate in which she reiterated how there is currently no money for the long-called for scheme. However, she did say that the planning consent will be difficult and "securing local agreement to ease the delivery of these works on level crossings could radically reduce the cost of the scheme." Ms Greenwood said no development work on the scheme had taken place since 2022 and upgrading the business case, including revised cost estimates, demand forecasts and benefits assessments, would be "a positive first step in bringing the programme forward". (Also, see BBC News article from 4th December 2025.) As expected, and in line with those statements, the scheme was not included in the Budget annoucement on 26th November 2025.
Whilst welcoming the investment made as part of the refurbishment of Bury St Edmunds station in 2022, MARPA was concerned that the single member of staff moved from the old ticket office (now a retial outlet) to combine their role with helping passengers at the gateline, was unable to cope with both roles when it was busy (trains dtparting soon or have just arrived). They were further concerned that there was not always someone preent (the gates wer leeft open), so customers with travel/ticketing queries were unable to be served. MARPA is delighted to learn that Greater Anglia will substantially increase staffing at the station early in 2026, and they will be on duty for longer. MARPA will monitor the situation closely to ensure that all of the staff are fully trained on every aspect of customer service and ticketing.
An eight-minute East West Rail Update YouTube video has been produced, by Chris Howe (Rail Focus), based on the report from the East West Rail Company.
According to a BBC article, the start of the public inquiry into the Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) busway, which was due to start in 2026, has been has been delayed (to at least March 2026) at the request of Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), because of the proposed route's proximity to a gas pipeline. This will give CCC time to investigate alternative design solutions. CSET is opposed by the Past, Present and Future Society charity, which received 7,000 signatures to its petiton, and also by Railfuture over concerns that it could prevent (or make more expensive) the reopening of the railway line to Haverhill. Paul Bristow, the mayor of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, opposes the scheme and prefers "road options" to improve transport links; he is also worried the busway would conflict with his "mayoral plan to deliver a light rail network for Cambridge".
Meanwhile, the existing Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB) has experienced numerous problems, as mentioned in Snippets over the years. Following three deaths on the busway, Cambridgeshire County Council has been installing safety fencing along parts of the routes at a cost of £6.5m, but this has caused public controversy having closed (or planning to close) 23 'informal' crossing points, which are in regular use, as part of this. An example is one in Histon, near Manor Park and the community orchard. A petition calling for it to be reopened was signed by more than 2,400 people. The cost of reinstating these informal crossings has now been estimasted at £2million. See news article.
In his election manifesto, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Paul Bristow made it explicit that he believes Cambridge needs a light rail system to support future growth in the city. A new study, which has been commissioned by the Cambridge Growth Company and will result in the production of an outline business case, has been commissioned to examine potential 'mass rapid transit' options including light rail, metro and bus systems - see article. The study's remit will acknowledge the importance of "not causing any delay to existing projects" such as the Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) busway, East West Rail and the Cambridge South East Transport busway, which are "in the baseline" for the study. This 'bias' towards buses will disappoint many. Mr Bristow recently told a public inquiry into the C2C proposals that a busway could only be converted to light rail at "further, significant cost".
A "Misleading" Greater Anglia (GA) advert (and also one by ScotRail) has been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). The ASA said that GA's website would give customers the 'lowest prices' based on not charging a booking fee, unlike some third-party retailers, and also because a journey could also be cheaper if the customer split thier fee, something that GA's website did not directly offer. The ASA decided that GA's claim "Book direct for lowest prices" discouraged customers from searching elsewhere for cheaper tickets. See ruling on 24th December 2025 — a ruling that was tarnished by claiming that GA's legal name was Abellio Greater Anglia Ltd, a name not used since 2016. ScotRail was similarly criticised for adverts on its journey planner saying it was "unbeatable on price" and customers should "book direct for the best price". My Train Ticket, the online third-party retailer, also fell foul of claiming to sell the "cheapest tickets".
The Cambridge University Railway Club (CURC) was very disappointed to announce (just two hours before) that Laura Shoaf was unable to make the talk on Wednesday 3rd December 2025, which was therefore cancelled. This was because of disruption caused by a person being hit by a train that afternoon between London King's Cross and Cambridge. The CURC said that Ms Shoaf was looking forward to speaking to and it hope to reschedule for the Lent (January-March) term.
STATIONS
Spencer Rail Engineering issues press release to promote its £28.5m contract to build Waterbeach Town station
Keywords: [WaterbeachStation]
On 2nd December 2025, Spencer Rail Engineering issued a press release, which was picked up by various news outlets, about how it has begun design work on the new Waterbeach Town station, which it will also construct. It had been has been awarded a £28.5 million contract by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). The press release said that thew new station would "replace the existing Waterbeach station" although this is still uncertain, particularly as a statutory closure process would be necessary, and 'hardship' (current users inconvenienced by having to travel further to access the railway) would have to be taken account of. It is expacted that the Department for Transport (DfT) will hold a 12-week consultation, which is expected to start in March 2026.
It said: "Spencer Rail Engineering's team will carry out the enabling works, M&E, construction of the station platforms, drainage, minor track works and overhead line equipment (OLE) adjustments. As part of the works, Spencer will also install piled foundations for the platforms, lifts and staircases, utilising steelwork for the canopies and pre-cast elements for the platforms. The project will also include the creation of a new car park with up to 280 spaces to service the station."
Work is expected to begin on site in autumn 2026, with construction completed by 2028. The GCP says that it is in the process of investigating additional facilities for the station such as restrooms, waiting areas and mobile café. The exizsting station had a mobile café at morning during peak-time.
Formal public consultation launched about proposed improvements to Whittlesea Railway Station
Keywords: [WhittleseaStation]
Fenland District Council is asking residents, businesses, and rail users to take part in the next stage of consultation on the future of Whittlesea Railway Station, which is in Cambridgeshire and could undergo a major transformation. Proposals include a footbridge, platform extensions, along with improved public areas and improved car parking. This formal consultation, which runs from Monday 5th January to Sunday 1st February 2026 follows a survey in October 2025 which looked at how people use the station. Whittlesea is one of three Fenland stations (the others are March and Manea) included in a rail regeneration programme being delivered through the council's Railway Station Masterplans project, which is supported by funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, with £3million earmarked for improvements at Whittlesea between 2024 and 2027.
There are three drop-in events along with a session using Microsoft Teams:
- Friday 9th January 2026 (08:00-12:00) Whittlesey Market Place, Market Street, PE7 1AF
- Wednesday 14th January 2026 (06:00-10:00) Whittlesea Railway Station, PE7 1UL
- Saturday 24th January 2026 (10:00-15:00) Aldi Supermarket, Eastrea Road, Whittlesey, PE7 2AE
- Monday 26th January (06:00-20:00) Online information session via Teams
Signficant improvements completed at Harwich International railway station
Keywords: [HarwichInternationalStation]
A £1 million investment programme to improve facilities at Harwich International railway station, which is managed by Greater Anglia (GA) has been completed. The improvement scheme included the replacement of roofing over the footbridge, staircases and station entrance building, as well as upgrades to ceilings in the same areas. The station was also repainted throughout to be more welcoming. As part of the investment, new energy-efficient lighting has been installed to improve visibility and safety while reducing environmental impact. See BBC article. The work was delivered over four weekends in September 2025 and was carefully planned to run alongside Network Rail Anglia's pre-arranged engineering work on the Colchester/Ipswich to Harwich Town line
Stowmarket station's new accessible footbridge successfully installed over weekend but will not open until first quarter of 2026
Keywords: [StowmarketStation]
The planned new £5.5 million footbridge at Stowmarket station (as reported in [Snippets 391]), which replaces the concrete one installed in the mid-1980s when the Great Eastern Mainline was being electrified, was successfully installed on 29th/30th November during planned works on the Norwich to Ipswich line. It required a 47-hour operation involving a 500-tonne mobile crane and a Hi-Ab lorry loader to lower sections of Stowmarket's new footbridge into place: the installation involved five major lifts including a 29-tonne staircase. See news story.
The bridge had been expected to open to the public in January 2026 following on-site testing. Indeed, Greater Anglia (GA) had stated this date in issue 60 of its Stakeholder News published on 27th November. However, just days later, GA confirmed it will now open at some point during the first quarter of 2026 (or 'by summer 2026' depending on which GA annoucement that you read), so passengers will need to continue using the temporary bridge until then. The signficant slippage so late in the day is similar to Cambridge South delay and even Crossail back in 2018.
The project has faced delays since is was the first announced in June 2022, when Greater Anglia said construction would begin by the end of 2023, but work did not actually start until late 2024.
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 393 - 31/12/2025
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Railfuture is a non-profit making pro-rail campaiging organisation, which is run entirely by unpaid volunteeers, including production of Rail News Snippets for the East Anglian branch of Railfuture.
How we spell Railfuture — singular, one word, one capital letter (can be abbreviated to Rf).