Cambridge South Station opening delayed to June 2026

This is the letter from Network Rail.

Following our update to you in February 2025, I am writing to you to give you an update on the delivery of Cambridge South station, and when we expect to be able to enter the station into service for passengers.  

We are disappointed to report that an unforeseen issue related to a key sub-contractor entering administration during the critical internal fit-out of the station’s electrical and mechanical systems means that we are now expecting to open the station in June 2026. 

The loss of that subcontractor has affected the planned completion sequence for the electrical and mechanical works and therefore the overall programme. The need for additional design and construction work has also contributed to the delay to this stage of the project. 

We recognise the disappointment this will cause for our stakeholders and the local community. Please be assured that we are working closely with our principal contractor, J Murphy & Sons, to integrate the replacement sub-contractor, reallocate resources to minimise the delay as far as possible and manage the remaining risks that remain to the programme.  

We are confident that we can overcome these challenges and deliver the new station in June 2026 so that trains can start to call at Cambridge South.  We will also continue to pursue all opportunities with our contractor to accelerate the delivery where possible and, if we are successful, we will aim to open earlier.

Construction progress and wider industry milestones

Key milestone delivered (May 2025): the South Rail System Alliance (SRSA) completed the rail systems and infrastructure upgrades between Shepreth and Cambridge that support the new station.  This work was delivered alongside our principal station contractor, J Murphy & Sons, and signalling partner Alstom.  

Signalling

Planning is ongoing for the next critical milestone of the Cambridge resignalling programme (C3R), which will renew the signalling system in and around Cambridge South and unlock the operational flexibility needed to allow a full train service to call at the new station. These signalling improvements are planned to be delivered this Christmas as part of an 11-day closure of the railway.  

Timetable changes

The East Coast Main Line (ECML) timetable changes will come into effect as planned in December 2025. These changes are essential because several Great Northern and Thameslink services from London Kings Cross and St Pancras use the ECML on route to Cambridge, meaning the revised timetable is a prerequisite for operating services at Cambridge South. 

Next steps

The successful delivery of C3R and the ECML timetable changes in December 2025 will unlock the operational conditions required to enable Cambridge South to open once works are complete.  We remain focused on bringing the station into passenger service as quickly and safely as possible so it can start benefiting the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the local community and the wider region for years to come.