Cambridge North Station
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK · 2015–2017 (opened May 2017) · £50m
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe station was designed to serve the growing Cambridge Science Park and provide better access to the northern parts of the city. - Emphasis on sustainable transport with extensive cycle parking facilities. - The unique architectural facade generated significant public interest and discussion. - Demonstrates successful collaboration between local authorities and Network Rail to deliver a new transport hub.
Key engineering challenges
Constructing a new station on a constrained site adjacent to a live railway line and a science park. - Integrating the station with local transport networks, including significant cycle infrastructure. - Achieving a distinctive architectural design (Rule 30 pattern) with complex cladding systems. - Minimising disruption to existing rail services during construction.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Network Rail, Cambridgeshire County Council, Department for Transport
- Lead contractor
- VolkerFitzpatrick
- Lead designers
- Atkins (architecture and engineering), Grimshaw (concept design)
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Two platforms (10-car trains); 1,000 cycle parking spaces; 450 car parking spaces; clad in 4,600 aluminium panels featuring Rule 30 cellular automaton pattern.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; architectural; mechanical; electrical; urban planning; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Network Rail standards
Sources: VolkerFitzpatrick (undated, https://www.volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk/en/news/building-better-connections-cambridge-north-railway-station-footbridge-installed); ArchDaily (Jun 2017, https://www.archdaily.com/872799/a-new-train-station-in-cambridge-has-sparked-controversy-among-mathematicians); Kilnbridge (undated, https://www.kilnbridge.com/projects/cambridge-north-station/)