Network Rail seeks approval for Cambridge level crossing upgrades

Ministers will shortly be considering a Transport and Works Act Order from Network Rail that seeks to upgrade seven level crossings as part of NR’s £194 million Cambridge resignalling project.

The crossings to be upgraded from half-barrier to full barriers are Dimmocks Cote, Waterbeach, Milton Fen, Meldreth Road, Six Mile Bottom and Dullingham. In addition, NR’s application includes Croxton on the Ely-Norwich line. All will have full manual barriers monitored by obstacle detection (Meldreth Road will be monitored by CCTV).

If granted, the order will also give NR powers to compulsorily acquire land, in order to renew signalling around Cambridge station that was first commissioned in 1982 and which is now approaching the end of its reliable life, according to NR.

As a result, NR plans to close in December 2024 signal boxes at Bury St Edmunds (built in 1888), Dullingham (1883) and Chippenham Junction (1921), shifting control to Cambridge Power Signal Box.

It also plans to renew six adjacent interlockings, including at Foxton, Chesterton Junction and Whittlesford which are already under Cambridge control.

In Yorkshire, NR has submitted a TWAO application to close Rose Lane, Adamsons and Poulters level crossings just west of Church Fenton. All are private crossings Rose Lane gives access to houses, while the other two are used to reach farmland. NR plans to replace them with a single bridge in a project it expects to cost £17.4m.