Yesterday I walked from Milton Road on the path by the Guidedbus Way to the new Cambridge North Station. The quiet away from the traffic streaming into Cambridge was broken only by the occasional bus. The banks and verges were like linear wildflower gardens – mullein, mallow, vetches, thistles, poppies, buddleia, convolvulus, hardhead, fat hen, ox-eye daisies and rosebay willowherb etc. Deliberately seeded by eco-friendly local authorities? The station is a fine piece of design, its clean simple form complemented by an almost lacy geometric mathematical surface treatment.
A young woman sold coffee from a pedal powered machine – a coffee concession will open in the station shortly. I was impressed by the whole arrangement – access, station, car and cycle parking – and like to think it will finally kick-start a long delayed Northern Fringe regeneration. I bought a ticket (£2.30) back to Cambridge; and shared a carriage with four ladies on a certain age taking the mother of one of them to ITV’s ‘Loose Women’ as a birthday treat.
Photos: Cambridge North Station, Cambridge, June 2017