Mayor James Palmer insists he will not wait five years for Cambridge South station to be built following today’s Budget announcement that the Government is to invest £5 million in the station.

The Chancellor Phillip Hammond revealed a £5 million commitment to the new station in today’s Budget document. The cash will be topped up by private investment and local funding contributions.

Mayor Palmer welcomed the news but says he will “do everything I can” to get the Addenbrooke’s Hospital-based station built as soon as possible.

He said: “I’m glad that the Government has recognised the importance of delivering a new Cambridge south station in the budget. The Government’s financial commitment to the project is to be welcomed, and is a clear demonstration of how important Greater Cambridge is to the wider UK economy and the Government’s vision for the country post-Brexit.

“The station will also play an important role in complementing plans published last week for a new Cam-MK-oX arc, and plans for East-West rail. Clearly this is a vital piece of transport infrastructure that is needed to support the rapid growth jobs at the biomedical campus.

“However, I’m also of the view that the new station needs to be delivered quickly. The existing transport infrastructure around the biomedical campus is already under strain and a rail based solution is required sooner rather than later.

“The aim should be to look to deliver Cambridge south station within the next couple of years. It has been suggested by some that 2022 is a likely date for the station to come live, but in my view, this is nowhere near good enough. As Mayor I will do everything I can to drive the project forward as quickly as possible. Five years is far too long to wait for Cambridge south station to be delivered.

“In Cambridge we are lucky to have some of the country’s most dynamic and innovative businesses. It’s vital that we are able to deliver the transport infrastructure they need to thrive in a timely manner.”

The Combined Authority and the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has each committed £1.7m towards the feasibility and business case for Cambridge South.