While many new railways were constructed primarily to serve industry, the influential Jockey Club was of the opinion that “a railway to Newmarket would not only be a great convenience to parties anxious to participate in the truly British sport of racing but would enable Members of Parliament to superintend a race and run back to London in time for the same night’s debate“. As a result, the Newmarket & Chesterford Railway Company’s Bill was unopposed and had an easy passage through Parliament!
The station at Balsham Road was opened on 4 April 1848 and closed on 9 October 1851 - the Newmarket & Chesterford Railway line's closure was one of the earliest line closures in England. The position of Balsham Road station along with the two Bourne Bridge Stations on this line are shown on this map:
There is nothing left to see at the site of Balsham Road station, but this aerial view shows its position in relation to a view of the modern road:
A view from close to GZ looking south (taken in July 2020) along the course of where the railway line would have been:
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