Cambridge resignalling project: Alstom completes C3R Phase Two

The Cambridge resignalling project has reached a major milestone as Alstom completed Phase Two of the Cambridge Resignalling, Relock and Recontrol (C3R) programme.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The stage is described as the largest resignalling project ever undertaken by the company in the United Kingdom, with direct benefits in terms of safety, reliability, and capacity for passengers and operators.

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The work was delivered over the winter holidays during an 11-day total closure of Cambridge station and adjacent routes, running from December 25, 2025, to January 5, 2026. The handback was completed on time to Network Rail.

Across that window, around 250 specialists per shift worked across 23 shifts, totaling over 50,000 hours. The scope included resignalling and the transfer of operational control for the area north of Cambridge station, passing through the new Cambridge South station (as previously covered by Railway Supply) and reaching the network boundaries at Great Chesterford and Foxton. Alstom also replaced the legacy NX (Entry-Exit) panel in the Cambridge PSB signal box with two modern modular control systems (MCS).

In parallel, the Meldreth Road level crossing upgrade moved the site from an automatic system with partial barriers to a full system with manually controlled barriers and CCTV surveillance, integrated into the signalling system.

Technology and control upgrades for the Cambridge resignalling project

At midnight on Christmas Day, the Cambridge PSB signal panel was permanently decommissioned after more than 40 years of operation, marked by the message “FAREWELL.” The new configuration is built around Smartlock 400 interlocking technology and the MCS Infinity control platform developed by Alstom. The system is intended to provide increased operational flexibility and improved reliability, and it is ready for digital deployment, including ETCS.

The Phase Two works involved over 100 signals, 76 points machines, over 300 axle counter sections, 323 signalled routes, and nine level crossings.

Meldreth Road level crossing upgrade and early reopening

Following the Meldreth Road level crossing upgrade, the crossing reopened a week ahead of schedule. The updated arrangement uses full barriers connected to the main signalling system and is remotely operated via CCTV, improving safety for road users and pedestrians.

Investment, contract scope, and next phases under MSFA

Phase Two sits within Network Rail’s GBP 200 million programme to modernize signalling in the region (outlined on Network Rail’s Cambridge re-signalling programme page), replacing equipment that has been in service for over four decades. Alstom was awarded the GBP 130 million contract in 2022 to design and deliver the Cambridge resignalling, described as the largest single contract awarded by Network Rail under the MSFA framework agreement, as set out in the Network Rail media centre announcement.

The company will continue with Phase Three in 2026, which will include most of the work on level crossings and the re-control of the Ely–Norwich route. Phase Four, scheduled for 2027, will bring the new signalling systems for the Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds routes into operation.

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