FAQ
What is a Travel Hub?
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority defines Travel Hubs in their Local Transport Plan as being flexible transport interchanges that will allow people greater access to sustainable transport networks.
How much will it cost to park?
We intend to make parking at GCP Travel Hubs free of charge.
What will the Travel Hub site look like?
The consultation materials include artist’s impressions of the proposed sites, which aim to show what a completed site might look like. As the design of a preferred option is refined, we will develop the detail of the site design, including landscaping to minimise the visual impact of the site.
Why Foxton and not another station e.g.: Meldreth?
In line with central government guidance we have looked at several possible locations for a Travel Hub in this area. The locations were assessed using a range of criteria, and Foxton was the highest scoring location, meeting the criteria for the scheme most effectively. The results of the initial options assessment area report in the Options Assessment Report that was published to support the Strategic Outline Business Case.
How many parking spaces would each option have?
A new site would have in the region of 750 car parking spaces. The same number would be provided regardless of which option is chosen, but will be confirmed as the business case for the developed. We may initially construct fewer spaces, and build the remainder when they are needed.
Would a Foxton Travel Hub still be required if Cambridge South Station is not built?
Yes. Modelled demand forecasts at Foxton indicate that if the proposed station at Cambridge South does not go ahead, there would still be significant demand for a Travel Hub at Foxton.
Will there be extra trains from Foxton to cope with the extra passengers?
No increase in the number of trains is planned as part of the Foxton Travel Hub proposal. However, recentchanges to the train service have doubled the length of trains stopping at Foxton from 4 to 8 carriages, meaning that there is space for 1,100 passengers on each train.Network Rail will be undertaking a re-signalling project, starting in 2023 that will aim to increase the safety, efficiency and capacity of the rail network in the Cambridge area.
How much cycle parking will be provided?
We recognise the importance of providing good cycle facilities at Travel Hubs, andexpect to provide around 75 spaces at Foxton. This wouldinclude a mix of standard cycle parking, and secure cycle lockers for regular users.
Who will pay for the Foxton Travel Hub?
The funding of the Travel Hub scheme is expected tobe funded through the £1 billion Greater Cambridge City Deal investment. The City Deal includes £500 million from government and up to £500 million from local and private sector investment between 2016 and 2031.
We are also seeking opportunities for funding contributions from key stakeholders as the scheme develops.
Are you proposing to build a bypass of the level crossing?
The proposed construction of anunderpass or bridge to bypass the level crossing at Foxton was originally included in the first stage of assessment of the Foxton Travel Hub. However, in recognition of the wider traffic issues along the A10 corridor, the GCP Executive Board chose to refer this element of the scheme to the Strategic Transport Authority (in this area the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority) for consideration. The construction of a bridge or underpass at Foxtonis included in the Combined Authority’s draft Local Transport Plan, and will be looked at separately to the Travel Hub proposals, although GCP understands that the Combined Authority will await further details of the East West Rail proposals before the scheme is progressed.
The Cambridge South West Travel Hub project involves building a large Travel Hub at M11 Junction 11, why do you need to build one at Foxton as well?
High growth in the Cambridge City Region, especially in areas served by the railway – including two new stations; Cambridge North, and the proposed Cambridge South station – will drive demand for improved transport in this area.
Around a third of the potential users of the Cambridge South West Travel Hub are expected to come from the A10, so some users may prefer to use a Foxton Travel Hubalthough the two sites do not provide the same onward service.
Will the Foxton Travel Hub affect the proposed Melbourn Greenway?
The proposed Melbourn Greenway would pass through Foxton, linking villages along the A10 corridor to Cambridge. The Greenway proposals would be complementary to a Foxton Travel Hub, improving access to the station for people on foot and cycle. We will work closely with the Melbourn Greenway design team to ensure the two schemes complement each other.
How will the Travel Hub be affected by East-West Rail proposals?
The proposals for an East-West Rail route linking Cambridge and Oxford are still in development, with the proposed approach corridor to Cambridge included in a consultation earlier this year.We will liaise with EWR on the emerging route proposals and the potential impact on a Foxton Travel Hub.
What impact would the Foxton Travel Hub scheme have on two-way traffic flows through Harston/Hauxton?
Forecasting suggests there could be a slight reduction in morning peak (8-9am) traffic flows heading north between Royston and M11 Junction 11.
Will local junctions be able to cope with any changes in traffic flow?
Yes, changes in traffic flows would be minimal, requiring little change to local junctions except to enable access to the Travel Hub site. Local junction modeling will help ensure that the final site design allows traffic to flow smoothly.
Will there be increased rat-running through local communities?
Most traffic accessing the site is expected to come from the A10, rather than minor roads.
Traffic on Station Road through Foxton is not expected to be significantly affected by either of the sites. Barrington Road may see a small increase in traffic if the Northern Option is preferred.
Will the Travel Hub proposal affect local bus services?
Bus services in Cambridgeshire are run on a commercial basis, but it is not expected that the Travel Hub proposals would have an impact on local bus services. It is not proposed thatbuses would enter the site, as the bus stops on the A10provide good interchange with rail services, and minimal delay to bus servces.
Won’t people just use the Travel Hub to commute to London?
We expect the majority of Travel Hub users to be travelling to destinations in Cambridge. While Foxton is only one stop from Cambridge, with a journey time of around 10 minutes, the stopping service takes around 75 minutes to get to London. Both Cambridge and Royston stations have faster and more frequent train services to London which may attract more London-bound passengers than Foxton.
Is the Foxton Travel Hub good for the village?
A Travel Hub would provide an alternative to driving into Cambridge by increasing access to rail services, accommodating future growth in demand for travel. The Travel Hub would include secure cycle parking facilities including cycle lockers for regular cyclists travelling from local villages.
A Travel Hub site could reduce the number of people parking on streets around Foxton in order to access the station.
We will work with the Parish Council and local stakeholders to ensure that the Travel Hub is designed in a way that is sensitive to the village.
A Travel Hub would provide an alternative to driving into Cambridge by increasing access to rail services, helping relieve congestion along the A10 to Cambridge. The Travel Hub would include secure cycle parking facilities including cycle lockers for regular cyclists travelling from local villages.
A Travel Hub site could reduce the number of people parkingon streets around Foxton in order to access the station.
We will work with the Parish Council and local stakeholders to ensure thatthe Travel Hub is designed in a way that is sensitive to the village.
Is the proposed Foxton scheme likely to have an impact on local air quality?
Increasing the provision of car parking capacity in this area may have some very localised impact on air quality. However, the likely impact of not providing the proposedTravel Hub is worsening air quality through increased congestion along the A10at the Foxton level crossing.
While no air quality monitoring has yet been undertaking for the scheme, an air quality fact sheet has been prepared based on available air quality monitoring data. The available data does not raised any concerns on the air quality around Foxton.
Will Public Rights of Way be affected?
No, existing Public Rights of Way will not be affected by the proposals.
What would be the environmental impacts of the Foxton Travel Hub scheme?
Whichever site is preferred, there is likely to be some impact on the environment, although this would be minimised through careful design. A Travel Hub would likely result in a visual impact as the sites are on flat ground and sensitive receptors (residents) are living in close proximity to both potential sites. Proposed landscaping will minimise the impact of the scheme.
The proposed works could result in an adverse impact on hedgerows and mature trees, however the potential impacts will be minimised as much as possible through working closely with the design team.
As traffic is expected to increase along Barrington Road (northern option), a Travel Hub on this site could increase the local noise level.
As part of the scheme development, a more detailed environmental assessment will be undertaken and mitigation will be identified. The need to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment is to be confirmed.
Will this cause on-street parking problems in Foxton?
We do not expect a Travel Hub to cause on-street parking problems in Foxton. The car park would have sufficient capacity for the expected demand at the station. Changes to local parking arrangements could be considered to ensure local residents are not adversely affected by station parking.
What about former uses of the site?
As the northern site was previously used as a coal yard, there is a potential for the site to be contaminated from the handling of the coal, but also from the old railway infrastructure. If this site is identified as the preferred option for this scheme, investigation will be undertaken prior to undertaking work on site.
No known source of land contamination for the southern site.
What do you mean by ‘phased’ construction?
The demand for the full capacity of the site may take some time to build up, so a smaller number of car parking spaces may be built initially, with additional spaces (up to a maximum of around 750) added later on.
What are the timescales for construction?
Construction of the site would take up to 12 months. Subject to approvals and planning permission, the Travel Hub could be constructed and operational by 2023.
How will pedestrians cross the A10 and the Railway?
Both options would require Travel Hub users to cross the A10 to reach the station. Detailed plans for the crossings are still to be developed, and will be subject to a Road Safety Audit as part of the design process.
Pedestrians will cross the railway using the existing facilities at the level crossing with locking pedestrian gates. While the provision of a pedestrian overbridge is outside the scope of this project, we will continue work with Network Rail to ensure safe routes to the station.
Have you discussed the scheme with Network Rail?
As the Travel Hub proposals would impact on the railway, we are actively engaging with Network Rail on the emerging plans for Foxton.
Is this the proposed site layout?
The site layout is only indicative at this stage. We welcome comments on how we can ensure that the site design could be modified to make the site work better.
Will there be solar panels at the Travel Hub?
Solar panels at the Travel Hub site could provide power for the site itself, including electric vehicle charging, and for the local community. Options for providing solar panels at Foxton will be considered as the Outline Business Case and detailed design are developed.