Soham station could be rebuilt, claim councillors

Author: Ashley Curtis - 28 November 2012

A financially-sound business case is being drawn up for reopening a railway station in Soham, Cambridge, reports cambridge-news.co.uk.

The station, which was levelled in a wartime train explosion 70 years ago, has been subject to talks between East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. Discussions are gathering pace regarding station design plans and funding, topix.com adds.

Both authorities, however, are waiting to hear from the Department for Transport before making a formal case - which Network Rail estimates will cost around £6.15 million. Furthermore, Network Rail believes reopening the station is 'feasible'.

In addition, reopening the station could provide a direct rail link to Ely and Cambridge; helping out residents in the area looking for quick and efficient travel to the area.

Cllr James Palmer, deputy leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council who represents Soham South, believes there is still a long way to go before the station becomes fully functional once again. He stated: "It has long been an aspiration of everyone connected with Soham to restore the railway station.

"With the recent funding and positive feedback from the Government, we are edging closer to this goal, but there is still work to be done. We must put together a business case to show how any service stopping in Soham would be used," he added.