Network Rail are holding a number of public consultations on this important project; the latest is here and covers two main topics. One is 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, although we think it would be better to design it for the 14 that are likely to be needed in future. The other is work on a number of level crossings, mostly conversion from half barriers to full barriers which will result in them being closed to road traffic for much longer than at present. More information on the project 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. There are some pictures of the work at Waterbeach 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. The next stage is a public enquiry, due to take place towards the end of 2021; there is more detail on the project 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 have had several reports of people who have parked at King's Lynn station receiving penalty notices for non-payment two or three weeks later, by which time they had thrown the ticket away. So when parking at King's Lynn it's advisable to keep the ticket, also check your registration number is entered correctly when paying.
We represent the interests of users of the Fen Line to the management of the franchise holders and Network Rail.
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 2020 AGM are in the members' section.
The 2021 AGM will be on Saturday 27th November in Waterbeach Baptist Chapel from 2pm to 5pm (doors open at 1.30). For those attending in person it's a 5 minute walk from the station, up the road into the village and past the church where we had the 2017 AGM; the Chapel is on the left by the zebra crossing. There will also be Zoom for remote participants.
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 hour extras run Mondays-Fridays only.
Contact:
Secretary: fluasecretary@flua.org.uk
Webmaster: flua@ninetiles.com