During the August bank holiday weekend, work being carried out at the new Soham station saw it connected to the wider signalling network.
This huge step in the construction process will mean that trains will be able to call at the station safely and also means that the Greater Anglia Ipswich to Peterborough service will be able to stop at Soham for timetabled passenger services for the first time in 56 years since the old station was closed and demolished.
The project has been underway for the past year with the brand new station materialising from the site of the old station.
The project has been funded by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority following a long campaign to bring back services for the Soham community, creating new connectivity for locals and making travel around the region much more accessible.
Network Rail and contractor J. Murphy and Sons have worked hard to deliver the brand new station in spite of Covid-19 restrictions with the final stages of the project seeing further work in conjunction with Greater Anglia to make the station ready for trains to call in December.
The final phase will see the station completed, essential track safety and also train testing, driver training will also make sure everything is ready for services calling at the station.
To find out more please visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/reconnecting-soham
You can also follow Network Rail Anglia on Twitter @networkrailANG using the hashtag #SohamStation
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, said: “This is part of a general move for smarter and greener ways to get around Cambridgeshire, giving Soham people access to more job and leisure opportunities, helping them to leave the car behind, and putting Soham squarely on the business and tourism map.
“Being well connected has always been the hallmark of successful settlements and that's what we want for all our communities. I'm delighted that partnership working means we're on course to open the new Soham station before Christmas.”
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail's route director for Anglia said: “Connecting the new station to the signalling network puts us onto the finishing straight for trains to start to call at Soham in December.
“Our collaboration with the Combined Authority demonstrates how the rail industry can work with local stakeholders to deliver rail upgrades for the benefit of local communities and the wider regions.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia Managing Director, said: “We are looking forward to adding another station to our network, making it even more convenient for people to catch the train.
“Soham station will be served exclusively by our brand new trains which have gold standard accessibility and all the mod cons modern rail travellers expect.
“Rail is the most sustainable way of travelling after walking and cycling and we're pleased to be making it even easier for more people with the opening of Soham station.
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The new Soham station is coming along very nicely. Hoping that it will open before the end of this year or it could open early January next year.