Stage 1 - Market Research (2004)

QUESTION:
If a rail service were available between Haverhill and Cambridge, would you be likely to use it?

- 73.2% said 'YES'
- 16.2% said 'MAYBE'
- 10.4% said 'NO'

QUESTION:
How long would you expect a train journey between Haverhill and Cambridge to Take?

- 87% said '28 minutes acceptable or better'
During the peak periods the bus is scheduled to take 61 minutes

QUESTION:
How often do you think trains should run at peak times?

- 62% said 'every 20 minutes'

QUESTION:
How often should the trains run off peak?

- 54% said 'every hour'

QUESTION:
How early should the first train start from Haverhill?

- 83% said '6:00am'

QUESTION:
How late should the last train leave from Cambridge?

- 81% said 'midnight'

QUESTION:
What fare would you be prepared to pay for a return ticket between Haverhill and Cambridge?

- 47% said '£4.00 or more'

WHAT MORE STUDY IS REQUIRED ?

Feasibility Study – Stage II

This Stage would deal with engineering matters, comprising consideration of the necessary infrastructure and physical resources required to operate a railway capable of meeting the needs identified in Stage I.
The Study would survey the land area necessary for the railway, the type of terrain along which the track would run, the bridges and cuttings needed, the provision of stations or halts, and signalling.
Also action would be taken to meet a 'Transport & Works Act'.

Stage III

This Stage would consist of a business plan, whose purpose would be to investigate all costs of the building and maintenance of the line. Costs estimated would include purchase or lease of land, infrastructure, rolling-stock, wages of all persons operating the line, marketing, and legal costs, as well as the sources of funding for the building and maintenance of the railway and the year-on-year revenue from fares and other income.