Winvic Construction Ltd has been selected by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to build the haul road for the new Waterbeach railway station.

This appointment represents the first project Winvic has been awarded through the £800 million Eastern Highways Alliance Framework (EHF4). Managed by Central Bedfordshire Council, the framework involves a collaboration of ten local authorities across the region, including Cambridgeshire, Kent, and Norfolk.

The £3 million scheme, which was secured via a competitive mini-competition under Lot 1 of the framework, is a primary enabling component for the development of Waterbeach new town and its future rail hub. Work on the project began in November and is scheduled for completion in Summer 2026. Winvic is delivering the contract under NEC4 Option A.

The 3.1km haul road is essential for providing site access for the Spencer Group to begin the station's construction. The route includes 830 metres of an existing former airfield taxiway within the Urban & Civic site to serve as a foundation, while the remaining 2.3km will consist of new carriageway across the Waterbeach development. Upon completion, the road will feature a 3.75m-wide single carriageway with passing bays on the farmland stretch and a 7.0m-wide section along the taxiway, supported by comprehensive fencing and drainage.

-- Advertisement --

Construction will involve a major programme of utilities protection and earthworks. Winvic intends to reuse surplus material from the site for ditch excavations, bund creation, and level adjustments, while investigating value-engineering options to lower carbon and costs. Due to the site's history as an army barracks, the team is managing UXO considerations and archaeological oversight.

As part of the EHA social value requirements, the contractor will implement community initiatives, skills training, and employment programmes alongside local SMEs and educational providers.

Rob Cook, Winvic's Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, said: "Securing our first project under the EHA Framework is a significant milestone for Winvic and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridgeshire County Council and partners across the region. The Waterbeach Station haul road is an important enabling scheme that underpins the long-term growth of the new town and the delivery of critical transport infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our civil engineering expertise, collaborative approach and commitment to creating a positive impact in the local area, helping set the standard for future schemes under the framework."

Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of Programme at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: "We're pleased to appoint Winvic to the first phase of work for the new Waterbeach station – building the haul road. The road is designed to minimise disruption to residents during construction of the new station later in the year. We've got a package of transport projects in Waterbeach - a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway. With the new station, we're not only providing another sustainable transport option but also unlocking new housing for local people."