Network Rail has announced draft plans to improve services between Cambridge and London's Liverpool Street, Britain's busiest station, used by 120 million passengers a year, including services run by train company One.

Peak-hour services between Cam-bridge and Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street are set to be increased from eight to 12 carriages.

And the strategy includes building additional track in the Tottenham Hale to Broxbourne section so more services from Cambridge and Stansted can operate in the peak period.

Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail's Anglia route director, said: "With huge predicted growth in the Anglia region, it's imperative we plan effectively to deliver a network that can respond to this increased demand for rail.

"We look forward to hearing stakeholder views and to finalising a common view on the way forward for rail in this area over the next 10 years."

Earlier this year a Transport 2000 report named the 7.18am Cambridge to Liverpool Street service as the second most crowded in the country with 46 per cent of passengers forced to stand for part of their journey.

There is now a 12-week consultation period and Network Rail's plans will be delivered to the Office of Rail Regulation in the autumn.

Guy Dangerfield, of independent rail watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "We encourage any passenger or stakeholder to respond to this consultation in order that their views are taken into account."

The consultation document can be found on www.networkrail.co.uk

Passengers on the Cambridge to King's Cross route are also expected to benefit from proposed timetable changes.

Train operator First Capital Connect (FCC) has had its draft timetable changes provisionally approved by the Department for Transport - but it has released few details.

As reported in the News, FCC hopes to introduce 1,200 more seats to increase rush-hour capacity.

It will hold meetings with local authorities, MPs, rail user groups and other stakeholders in Cambridge on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10 but these are not public meetings.

FCC will also produce an information leaflet for passengers. A spokeswoman said they were arranging to be at Cambridge station on the morning of May 10 to talk to passengers.