RAIL Minister Simon Burns visited the site of the new Cambridge Science Park railway station yesterday.

MP Burns met with Cambridgeshire County Councillor Nick Clarke, leader of the council, to discuss the scheme in more detail and view the site in person.

A planning application for the scheme is due to be submitted next month.

Amongst the topics for discussion were the designs and passenger forecasts as well as the franchise and finance agreements that the county council will need to make with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail (NR).

The Rt Hon Simon Burns, rail minister, said: “This was a productive and informative visit. This is an interesting scheme that could deliver real benefits, both in Cambridge and beyond. We need to make sure we get the best possible value for money and a good deal for the taxpayer.”

The council forecasts the station will be used by a minimum of 3100 passengers per day in 2016, of which 1500 will be existing rail users switching to the new station, and 1600 will be new passengers.

Cllr Clarke, said: “The Minister’s visit today was extremely worthwhile and we are both committed to delivering a high quality transport interchange by 2015.

“The Minister’s coming here to view the details of the scheme in person demonstrates the value the DfT have put on Cambridgeshire’s part in boosting growth and leading the UK back to economic health.

“The new station will increase the attractiveness of the nationally important technology cluster in north Cambridge, all of which will be within one hour of London and 20 minutes closer to the rest of the world.

“This is important both for the local economy but also for the national economy as these engines of growth compete with other locations worldwide.”