Under the £27m upgrade, VolkerFitzpatrick will extend platforms at Waterbeach and Littleport stations to be able to accommodate eight-car trains

It will also create a new siding for stabling at King’s Lynn, to support the longer train formations.

Work is expected to start in October 2019, with completion in the summer of 2020.

Keith Jipps, Govia Thameslink railway infrastructure director, said: “We’ve had a long-held aspiration to run longer eight-carriage trains on our busy Fen Line between King’s Lynn and Cambridge to give passengers much needed extra space.

“We have been working closely with Network Rail on planning these important platform extension works and are excited that this work will start soon.

“We’re ready with the trains and drivers to increase the length of the trains that can run on the line and will be introducing these at the first available opportunity after the work is completed.”

This is one of the first projects to progress to this stage, as part of the new Rail Networks Enhancements Pipeline process, which the Department for Transport and Network Rail now jointly use to manage the delivery of new rail infrastructure.

VolkerRail, sister company of VolkerFitzpatrick, will complete signalling, track and OLE works.