According to the National Rail Enquiries website, the only trains running to/from Cambridge on April 25th will be those from/to London and Norwich. There will be a replacement bus service between Peterborough and Cambridge on both the Saturday and Sunday which adds approximately 45 minutes to journey times (well, at least to those that I have checked!).
Many thanks, Gaufrid.
Well, that’s bad news. I thought I’d sorted my trains – through The Trainline – as soon as the date was finalised.
I’ve had another look and, of course, you’re right. It’s already saying ‘Limited availability’ for the Peterborough route from here [Leicester] and not even quoting a return fare via London – but two singles on that route cost twice the fare via Peterborough.
However, having missed York, I’m determined to be there, one way or another!
The National Rail website shows trains that day from Stansted to Cambridge which I was relying on so, fingers crossed, it will still be OK. Alternative is to go to London from Stansted and then from London to Cambridge, I guess. Not great, but if it’s the only alternative…
I was thinking about booking a train, but from where I live that’s now just going to be a Weston Super. So it’s driving for me. And the delights of trying to find somewhere in Cambridge to park. Still, the show must go on.
There’s a Pay & Display car park just up the hill from the Castle that is not too expensive by Cambridge standards – https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/castle-hill-car-park
That’s a bit of a pain, I’ve just checked and Ipswich to Cambridge seems OK but the best laid plans etc.
Hope it won’t stop too many being able to attend as changing the date now seems unlikely.
Hi flashling
“… I’ve just checked and Ipswich to Cambridge seems OK …”
Not according to this announcement:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/90915.aspx
There will be a replacement bus service between Dullingham and Cambridge.
Thanks, Andrew – that looks like a plan.
Peter
Oh OK Gaufrid, the part I went to said nothing about it and it normally does say about upcoming disruption. Nor did any of the ticket buying websites.
I’ve notified Sil to see what he says.
Flashling @5 : please don’t change date – rail (aka bus) tickets already bought!
Hmmm – that makes my plan for a rail day trip more complicated – it is still possible (either using the 75 minute replacement bus from Cambridge to Peterborough or going via London).
Hi kruger @9
Are you travelling on the train / bus that arrives at 11.40?
Maybe we could share a taxi to the pub – along with anyone else [beery hiker?] arriving around that time?
Eileen, I’d definitely be up for that. If enough people are interested a taxi to Ely might simplify the trip back too, since there are trains running there…
Nice idea, beery hiker, but I booked my return ticket just half an hour ago!
OK I’ve just looked again and there appears to be a train to Ely at 2012 (but it wouldn’t surprise me if that gets cancelled too) – that would still mean a 4-hour trip to Nottingham but it sounds better than 75 minutes on the bus. I could also be tempted to do the outward journey via Ely – that one gets in earlier (1059).
It appears that not all of the changes have made it to the official timetable yet – in particular the NationalRail announcement suggests that nothing will be running through Ely either! So the options probably are bus to Peterborough, go via Stevenage or go via London.
Eileen @11
Yes, I will be on that train/bus.
As I’ve only been to Cambridge once before (and didn’t have the opportunity to look around on that occasion) I intend to walk from that station into the city to see some of the sights before going to the pub.
Terrible weather may necessitate a change of plan, however!
Fair enough, kruger. That’s an opportunity not to be missed, certainly.
I was intending to go via London, stopping there with one or other of my sons en route, and taking the train from either Kings Cross or Liverpool St. So my journey should be unaffected – unless yet more engineering work gets planned in!
I’ve heard from Sil and we’ve decided to carry on with the same date as some folks have already booked rooms/tickets.
Actually, having re-read the NationalRail article, the timetable may be correct, in which case there are some Greater Anglia trains running between Cambridge and Ely and between Ely and Peterborough, so it may only be the Cross Country services which are cancelled. I’ll keep an eye out for any further changes nearer the day.
I’m still intending to be there no matter what the difficulties are.
Alternatively you could consider train to Huntingdon and then the guided bus from Huntingdon station to Cambridge Shire Hall (50yds from the Castle). The B route serves both Huntingdon station and Shire Hall
If driving, as it is a Saturday the Shire Hall staff car park is open to the public.
I will still be there: looking forward to it !