Earlier this week I met with Network Rail and Thameslink to discuss the forthcoming timetable Changes affecting the East Coast Mainline on services from Huntingdon and St Neots.
The East Coast Mainline is the only rail line in the constituency and at present Huntingdon is the only station, meaning it has to be able to service the needs of all constituents, as well as St Neots next door which is closer for those in the south of the constituency.
I was able to speak to Phil Hutchison (Head of Strategic Planning) and Martin Darby (Head of Public Affairs) regarding the forthcoming timetable changes to services on the line ahead of its launch in December. Though I don’t yet have the precise timetable the most impactful change is the removal of the last peak time train, replaced with an earlier first train to London.
The trains will also be upgraded to Class 379 rolling stock but it should be noted that the work to move to digital signalling is slowly moving up the line. So far work has been completed only as far north as Finsbury Park, and the next stretch will reach as far as Stevenage. There will still be a lengthy period of weekend engineering works as this is upgraded and services will be impacted. I have reiterated the frustrations of those who rely on these services.
I was also able to once again raise the need for a new station at Alconbury Weald. The plans for a new station exist and it is now dependant upon investment to deliver it. Speaking to Martin he outlined that other new stations, such as Cambridge South and Tempsford have been part funded by businesses located in Cambridge Science Park and the Local Authority respectively. I will continue to highlight this with the new Mayor Paul Bristow to see where this can fit into the scope of the Combined Authority. This also links indirectly to the delivery of a Defence Technology Cluster which will increase the need for transport connections as well as aiding the Cluster’s viability; I will continue to push for this via this project too.
