More than 18,000 trees, shrubs, and plants will take root beside Cambridge’s newest railway station in a major push to enhance local biodiversity. The initiative, led by Network Rail, is part of the ongoing Cambridge South station project, located on Francis Crick Avenue within the city’s Biomedical Campus.
Set to open in early 2026, the station is more than just a transport upgrade—it’s a green investment. To meet its goal of a 10% net gain in biodiversity, the project has secured 22,000 square metres of arable land to expand the adjacent Hobson’s Park nature reserve.
This isn’t just about trains.. it’s about delivering a better environment for wildlife and creating a space the local community can enjoy for generations.
Biodiversity by Design
The transformation includes planting native broadleaf trees, establishing hedgerows, creating grasslands, and building a stormwater basin to support endangered species like the water vole. A green roof will top the station building, forming a wildflower meadow and incorporating a rainwater catchment system that gradually returns water to the local brook.
To further its environmental credentials, the station will also feature 1,400 square metres of solar panels, generating electricity to reduce carbon emissions.
Cambridge South will become the city’s third railway station, enhancing access to Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the growing cluster of healthcare and research facilities in the area. A £40 million infrastructure upgrade around the site was completed in May.
With both transport and the environment in focus, this project offers a model for sustainable development in urban spaces—one where nature and innovation work hand in hand.
