The Rail User Group

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3rd March 2009 – Members of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group mailing off a petition with over 1000 signatures in February 2009, when FCC were threatening to close Meldreth Booking Office on Saturdays, and greatly reduce hours Monday-Friday. FCC’s then Managing Director, Elaine Holt, came to Meldreth for a public meeting which was widely reported in the news. We succeeded in keeping Saturday opening hours, and better hours Monday-Friday.

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3rd March 2009 – Elaine Holt, Managing Director of First Capital Connect, visiting Meldreth for a public meeting

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16th April 2009 – Cycle wheeling channel at Meldreth

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29th October 2009 – Shepreth station car park before we got the parking charges abolished

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Winter 2010 – Cllr Susan van de Ven with First Capital Connect and County Council officers, looking for cycling parking opportunities at Foxton Station.

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23rd February 2010 – Inaugural meeting of Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group

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Summer 2011 – Breaking ground at Meldreth Station Flower and Veg Patch

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Summer 2011 – David Piggott supervises Meldreth Station volunteers

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Summer 2011 – David Piggott supervises Meldreth Station volunteers

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Summer 2011 – Shepreth Station’s Wildlife Garden preparations

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Summer 2011 – Foxton School gardeners help prepare railway tubs

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Summer 2011 – Meldreth Station Garden volunteers cheer the unveiling of the plaque, provided by Meldreth Sidings business Gocold, in preparation for the 160th station birthday celebration.

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9th July 2011 – Meldreth Station 160th birthday celebrations

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9th July 2011 – Foxton Station 163rd birthday celebrations

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9th July 2011 – Foxton Station 163rd birthday celebrations

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February 2012 – Foxton Level Crossing: Cllr Susan van de Ven, Tina Hughes whose daughter Olivia Bazlinton was killed at Elsenham Level Crossing in 2005, and Sixth Formers Hattie McFadzean and Florence Clark who have helped raise awareness of a serious pedestrian safety problem at Foxton Level Crossing.

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May 2012: Tour of Foxton Signal Box

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May 2012: Tour of Cambridge Signal Box

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August 2012: Meldreth Station Gardens

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“Meldreth Station – a great place for making friends”

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“Meldreth Station – a great place for making friends”

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October 2012 – Winter Planting: this was carried out by the station garden volunteers at the 3 village stations on the 5th, 6th and 7th October. Work in progress at Meldreth station.

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group

Launched in February 2010, this group is comprised of rail users dedicated to improving access to rail service at these small but essential stations. Our Rail Operator is Govia Thameslink Railway who operate the service as Great Northern, formerly First Capital Connect, and our service links the villages to Cambridge, Royston and London King’s Cross.

We are pleased to have the support of Railfuture, Govia Thameslink Railway (Great Northern), Network Rail and Transport Focus, all of whom have taken an active interest in our campaign.

Campaign Successes So Far

First Capital Connect has improved, and Govia Thameslink has maintained, the 16-18 year-old student discount fare from 30% to 50% off the adult fare. This translates into a substantial saving for young people.
Cycle racks at Foxton Station have been provided and installed by Cambridgeshire County Council on council-owned land.
Increased cycle parking at Shepreth has been installed by Govia Thameslink.
Following customer feedback, new ticket machine screens have been installed at Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Stations.
British Transport Police actively support our presence at the station and regularly attend User Group Meetings.
Parking charges at Meldreth Station have been reduced from £3 per day to £1.50 per day, and charges at Shepreth Station abolished (previously £3 per day) – effective January 1^st, 2012.
At Foxton Level Crossing, improved flashing light system on the vehicle barriers, significant steps toward safer pedestrian gates.

Join us to Help with our Continuing Campaigns

Full disabled access at Meldreth Station.
Maintaining the 50% 16-18 year-old student season pass discount.
Maintaining Meldreth’s staffed booking office.
Free parking at Meldreth Station.
Better provision for cycles on trains, particularly in view of overcrowding.
More cycle parking particularly at Meldreth and Foxton where there is high demand.
Improved safety at Foxton Level Crossing.

Please contact us to join our mailing list.

The Rail User Group