Alstom’s re-signalling work delivers a safer and smarter railway for Cambridge in the UK
Eleven-day blockade affected over 100 signals and involved 250 colleagues per shift.
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Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, is celebrating after it successfully delivered Stage 2 of the Cambridge Resignalling, Relock and Recontrol (C3R) project in the UK. This milestone marks a major step forward in modernising the region’s railway infrastructure, enhancing safety, reliability and capacity for passengers and operators.
Over the festive period, Alstom teams worked around the clock to deliver this complex and critical commissioning on time and as planned for Network Rail. The project involved:
.Resignalling, relocking and recontrol of the area north of Cambridge railway station, through the new Cambridge South station and, and continuing down to the boundaries at Great Chesterford and Foxton
.Replacement of the aging NX (eNtry-eXit) panel at Cambridge powered signal box (PSB) with two state-of-the-art Modular Control Systems (MCS)
.Upgrade of Meldreth Road level crossing from Automatic Half Barrier (AHB) to a full manually-controlled barrier MCB-CCTV system, improving safety for all pedestrian and road users
The commissioning required a full possession of Cambridge railway station and surrounding routes for 11 days between Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December 2025) to the morning of Monday 5 January 2026. During this time, approximately 250 people per shift worked across 23 shifts, totalling over 50,000 hours undertaken by Alstom and its partners. It was the company’s largest-ever single UK re-signalling project.
“This successful commissioning demonstrates Alstom’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge signalling solutions that enhance safety and efficiency across the UK rail network. We are proud to play a key role in transforming the Cambridge area for the benefit of passengers and operators alike,” said Emmanuel Henry, Digital and Integrated Systems Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
“The achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of everyone involved – from installation and testing crews to engineering, planning, safety, logistics and project leadership. Alstom extends its gratitude to Network Rail and our supply chain for their trust and support throughout this project.”
The Cambridge Stage 2 works form part of Network Rail’s £200 million investment to modernise signalling across the region, replacing equipment that has been in service for over 40 years. It will also provide a platform ready for digital technologies such as the European Train Control System (ETCS).
The new system – built around Alstom’s Smartlock 400 interlocking technology and MCS Infinity control platform – will deliver improved reliability and operational flexibility, while supporting future enhancements such as the opening of Cambridge South railway station later this year.
The resignalling work affected over 100 signals, 76 point machines over 300 axle counter sections and provided 323 signalled routes controlled from two new interlockings. In addition, there were nine level crossing recontrols, and the recontrol of the SSI and RRI interlockings south of Whittlesford.
Just after midnight on Christmas Day, the ageing signalling panel in the Cambridge PSB was switched off for the last time after over 40 years of service. A poignant message of 'FAREWELL' was displayed on the panel while the old mechanical relay room fell silent.
“Re-signalling projects of this size and complexity are not easy to deliver, but the determination and professionalism shown by the project and operations teams, and in collaboration with the train operating companies, has been exemplary,”
said Darren Hay, Senior Portfolio Manager for C3R at Network Rail.
He added: “The successful completion of Stage 2 is a testament to how well everyone worked together to plan and deliver this commissioning stage for Cambridgeshire with the accuracy and control required to be able to hand the railway back to passengers on time. A huge thank you and well done to colleagues at Network Rail, Alstom, their supply chains and the operations staff.”
Alstom was awarded the £130 million design and delivery contract for the Cambridge re-signalling project in 2022. This was the largest single contract to be awarded by Network Rail under the Major Signalling Framework Agreement (MSFA). Alstom will now work on Stage 3 of the project throughout 2026. This will includes most of the level crossing works and recontrol of the Ely to Norwich route, whilst Stage 4 brings control of the Newmarket and Bury St. Edmunds resignalling in to use during 2027.
Alstom’s Onvia mainline signalling portfolio is at the forefront of digital railway transformation, driven by continuous R&D and close alignment with evolving industry regulations. With over 300 ETCS projects, 25,000 onboard units and 23,000 km of lines equipped worldwide, Onvia delivers certified, future-ready solutions tailored to the unique needs of each customer. As part of a global product family, Onvia empowers operators to achieve new levels of safety, reliability and efficiency – setting the standard for tomorrow’s rail networks.
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