TRAIN MAINTENANCE DEPOT (TMD) - June 2026

EWR have provided further information on the layout options for the proposed train maintenance depot west of Whaddon Road, straddling Newton Longville and Mursley parishes. The most significant changes are arguably the addition of a third option (the 'Bow-Tie'), major increases in the estimated volume of excavated material that would need to be removed from the site, and the demolition and rebuilding of bridge OXD06 on Whaddon Road (Newton Longville) for layout options 2 and 3. EWR have also noted that they expect the majority of trains entering or leaving the depot to be coming from or going in the Cambridge direction (which favours option 2).

 

EWR TMD Background and Glossary (57Kb)

 

LAYOUT 1 - For this option, the majority of the facilities (including the depot buildings and stabling yard) would be at the eastern end of the site, so within Newton Longville parish close to Whaddon Road and Salden Place.

  • Bridges: Bridge OXD06 next to Whaddon Road (Newton Longville) would not require rebuilding. The two bridges within Mursley parish would have to be demolished and rebuilt). The underpass under the railway line between the village and Weasel Lane, public right of way NLO19, would have to be temporarily closed to allow extension.
  • Excavation: EWR now estimate that 320,860 m3 of soil would need to be removed from the site (71% more than their original estimate of 188,000).
  • Other: In their description for this layout, EWR have stated that "Option 1, with the reception track leading west, introduces operational inefficiencies for eastbound movements by requiring additional shunt moves to reach the stabling sidings".

EWR Information Sheets for Layout 1 (115Kb)

EWR PLAN for Layout 1 (5.6Mb)

 

LAYOUT 2 - The majority of the facilities (including the depot buildings and stabling yard) would be at the western end of the site, so within Mursley parish close to Lower Salden Farm.

  • Bridges: With this option, bridge OXD06 next to Whaddon Road as well as the two bridges within Mursley parish would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The underpass under the railway line between the village and Weasel Lane, public right of way NLO19, would again have to be temporarily closed for extension work.
  • Excavation: EWR now estimate that 527,190 m3 of soil would need to be removed from the site (280% more than their original estimate of 188,000).
  • Other: EWR have noted that a diversion of the Weasel Lane at the Mursley end to accommodate the depot building and stabling yard. For this option though, EWR state "Option 2, with the reception track leading east, has a clear operational efficiency benefit with trains from the Cambridge direction able to enter the stabling yard direct".

EWR Information Sheets for Layout 2 (113Kb)

EWR PLAN for Layout 2 (5.1Mb)

 

LAYOUT 3 - EWR refer to this layout option as the 'Bow-Tie' as it splits the facilities so that the stabling sidings are at the Mursley end of the site and the depot maintenance building at the eastern, Newton Longville end.

  • Bridges: With this option, work on the bridges would be to a similar extent as for Layout 2. Bridge OXD06 next to Whaddon Road as well as the two bridges within Mursley parish would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The underpass under the railway line between the village and Weasel Lane, public right of way NLO19, would again also have to be temporarily closed for extension work.
  • Excavation: EWR estimate that 173,640 m3 of soil would need to be removed from the site with this option (this option is new, so a comparison with the original estimate of 188,000 m3 is not relevant). 
  • Other: EWR have noted that a diversion of the Weasel Lane at the Mursley end to accommodate the depot building and stabling yard. For this option though, EWR state "Option 3, with the reception track leading east, has a clear operational efficiency benefit with trains from Cambridge able to enter directly to the stabling yard".

EWR Information Sheets for Layout 3 (112Kb)

EWR PLAN for Layout 3 (5.3Mb)

 

EWR have said they intend to announce their preferred layout in the autumn.

 

FEEDBACK

EWR have requested feedback from Newton Longville, Mursley and Whaddon parish councils by 10 July. We have responded already by saying that more time is required as we need to gather residents' views. If you would like to provide us with your comments then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Many thanks.