Villagers in South Cambs met with representatives from Network Rail in Meldreth last week who unveiled plans for six months of work to extend train station platforms.

The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group – chaired by county councillor Susan van de Ven – met with Gerardo Austria and Liam Farrell from Network Rail and contractor VolkerFitzpatrick’s Will Evans on Wednesday.

The plans, which form part of the Thameslink programme, are to extend the London end of platform 2 by 20 metres at Meldreth, add 80m to the Cambridge end of platform 2 at Shepreth, and 90m to the Cambridge end of platform 2 in Foxton.

The work would take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday with some evening and weekend work, from February 19 until October.

Gerardo Austria from Network Rail said: “We are extending the platforms to avoid level crossings being straddled at Shepreth and Foxton by the new trains.” He said the project will improve infrastructure for the eight-car Class 700 trains due to be rolled out by Govia Thameslink in 2018.

Network Rail’s Liam Farrell added: “We will send letters out to the homes affected within a certain radius.”

There were concerns raised about noise, and about machinery reducing car parking spaces – particularly in Shepreth.

“We will use the unofficial Shepreth overflow car park for storage and welfare during the work, meaning there are likely to be some parking suspensions in operation,” said Mr Farrell.

“We want it to have less impact on everyone – there will be a barrier fence separating the work from commuters.”

There were also concerns about the noise disruption, but villagers were told the brunt of the work – laying the foundations – would take place in the first six weekends, and they were told it would be completed ‘before windows would be open when the weather warms up’.

Villagers should use contact@thameslinkprogramme.co.uk to raise any issues throughout the work.

The next rail user group meeting takes place on March 14.

Go to meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk for more information.