Renewal of Haverhill to Cambridge rail links gains support from West Suffolk MP candidate Nick Timothy
The Conservative candidate to become the next MP for West Suffolk, has been in talks with the Government about building a rail link between Haverhill and Cambridge.
Following what he described as ‘promising’ talks with Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Nick Timothy has written to Mr Gove’s department seeking the inclusion of the project in its work with the Cambridge Delivery Group (CDG).
The Government said earlier this year that it is committed to developing Cambridge as Europe’s science capital through an expansion of the city to facilitate future growth.
The CDG was formed to take this vision forward, with large scale land assembly and major infrastructure projects included in its remit.
Nick said: “Haverhill is one of the biggest towns in the country without its own railway station, and with a growing population – plus the rapid economic development of Cambridge – I firmly believe this has to change.
“I want to commend the work of Railfuture East Anglia and Jonathan Roberts Consulting in laying out not only the case for a rail link, but setting out how a new line between Haverhill and Cambridge might work.
“I have been heartened by the positive response I’ve had in my conversations with Michael Gove and his department, and if I am elected as the next MP for West Suffolk, I will continue to campaign for this vital infrastructure.”
Nick’s campaign does not at this stage endorse a particular route or operational standard, although he has shared the Jonathan Roberts Consulting (JRC) report with Michael Gove and his department, and the report suggests tram-train technology and a route including stops at Cambridge South (biomedical campus), Granta Park, Linton, Haverhill Parkway (a new stop that would be sited next to the A1307)) and Haverhill town centre.
The JRC report, which was commissioned by Railfuture East Anglia, also says the reintroduction of the railway line to Haverhill would benefit a catchment area of between 90,000 to 165,000 people, be used by people living in 100 different parishes and make it possible to get from Haverhill to Cambridge South in 21 minutes.
In his letter, Nick said: “As you know, Haverhill lost its railway station in 1967, and it is now a large and growing town with a population nearing 30,000.
“The main road to Cambridge, the A1307, links important sites such as the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, science parks at Babraham and Granta Park, and housing in Linton and Haverhill.”
The letter went on to say: “I am convinced that a rail link is vital for the quality of life and economic opportunity along the line and beyond, and will help to deliver your vision for Cambridge – which is vital not only for the future of East Anglia but the country as a whole.”
Other candidates standing for West Suffolk in the General Election are Rebecca Denness (Labour), Henry Batchelor (Liberal Democrat), Mark Ereira (Green), Katie Parker (Independent), Luke O’Brien (Independent) and Ivan Kinsman (Social Democratic Party).
