October Rail Works to Hit Cambridge and Stansted Routes

Network Rail is warning of repeated weekend disruption across Cambridgeshire and parts of Norfolk throughout October, with replacement buses taking over several routes while engineers carry out signalling, track and station work. The programme begins on 3 October and runs into 1 November, with Cambridge, Ely, King’s Lynn, Norwich, Peterborough and Stansted Airport among the journeys affected across five separate weekends.

When Trains Will Be Replaced by Buses

• 3–4 October: Ely–Norwich.
• 10–11 October: Thetford–Cambridge North, Cambridge North–King’s Lynn and Bury St Edmunds–Peterborough.
• 17–18 October: Cambridge–King’s Lynn, Ely–Peterborough and Peterborough–Norwich.
• 25 October: Cambridge North–Audley End, Cambridge–Stanst Airport and Cambridge–Royston.
• 31 October–1 November: Cambridge North–King’s Lynn, Cambridge North–Ely, Ely–Peterborough, Peterborough–Norwich and Peterborough–Cambridge via Ely.

Replacement buses do not always leave directly outside the railway station, so Greater Anglia advises passengers to buy a paper ticket or eTicket before travelling and check the correct pick-up point. A valid train ticket covers the replacement bus at no additional charge. Full-size bicycles and e-scooters are not accepted, while folding bikes are allowed subject to space; folding e-bikes are also excluded.

Not every route will stop running on the affected weekends. On 25 October, Greater Anglia trains are due to continue between Norwich and Cambridge North and between Audley End or Stansted Airport and London, while amended Great Northern services will run between King’s Lynn and Cambridge and between Royston and London King’s Cross. Other October weekends also retain partial rail services alongside the replacement buses.

The biggest planning issue is for journeys involving a flight or tight connection. Cambridge–Stansted Airport passengers will need a replacement bus on 25 October, while other weekends affect links through Ely and Peterborough. Replacement buses can take longer and have lower capacity than trains, so check the revised journey time and bus stop before committing to an airport connection or separately booked onward ticket.