This important project includes upgrading Ely North Junction to allow the 11 train paths per hour that are needed now to support the half-hourly service to King's Lynn, and to enable future projects to increase capacity further. It also includes work on a number of level crossings; mostly they are proposed to be converted from half barriers to full barriers which will result in them being closed to road traffic for much longer than at present. This could be a particular problem at Waterbeach station, preventing passengers crossing the line to catch their trains. However, no final decision will be made until the results of traffic modelling are available, expected in the spring of 2022. More information on the project here.
As a result of the first consultation on Cambridge South station, option 1 (the northernmost location, nearest to the hospitals and the sixth form college) was chosen. The new station, due to open in 2025, will give travellers from Fen Line stations direct access to Addenbrooke's and Papworth hospitals and to employment on the Biomedical Campus. There is more detail on the project here and the documents for the formal Transport and Works Act Order process are here.
The project to allow 8-car trains to stop at all the Fen Line stations is now complete and most services are now 8 cars. An extra benefit for Waterbeach is that the Ely - King's Cross trains now stop there, giving the half-hourly service throughout the day that we would like to see for the whole line.
We've been asked why only some platforms have been lengthened; this is because "selective door opening" allows trains to stop with the front part in a shorter platform, but not if the back part would be across a level crossing. Announcements tell passengers to move to the front of the train; unfortunately, these announcements are also made for northbound trains at Littleport although that platform is full length.
There are some pictures of the work at Waterbeach here.
Network Rail have reconfigured King's Cross station and are now gradually replacing the 40-year-old signalling system. There was due to be a new timetable in May 2022, cutting several minutes off journey times into London from Fen Line stations, but it has been postponed because of problems further north on the East Coast main line. More information on the project here and here.
We represent the interests of users of the Fen Line to the rail industry management.
We monitor to ensure that services offered are maintained and improved.
We inform our members of the latest developments.
The AGM takes place each November. Representatives of the rail industry attend to give members the opportunity to raise issues with key staff from across the network.
The draft minutes of the 2021 AGM are in the members' section. The 2022 AGM will be on Saturday 26th November.
FLUA works to develop services between the Fen Line stations (King's Lynn, Watlington, Downham Market, Littleport, Ely, Waterbeach, and Cambridge North) and onwards to Cambridge and London.
We seek the best for users from the fast-changing railway scene by working with all parties in the rail industry and with other relevant bodies in the development of the Thameslink Southern and Great Northern (TSGN) franchise on the Fen Line.
Electric trains from Fen Line stations to Cambridge and London King's Cross are run by Great Northern for commuters, business and leisure users.
Greater Anglia operates electric trains from Fen Line stations to Cambridge and London Liverpool Street. These peak time extras run Mondays-Fridays only.
Contact:
Secretary: fluasecretary@flua.org.uk
Webmaster: flua@ninetiles.com