Cambourne to Cambridge Busway

Cambourne to Cambridge Busway

Posted on Mar 21, 2023 by jsw  | Tags: Cambourne, Cambridge

CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has strongly objected to an application made to Cambridgeshire County Council for their support to build an off-road busway between Cambourne and Cambridge. We’ve written to the Council outlining our objections.  You can read our full response here but in summary:

CPRE is concerned that the reason for the current application is not better public transport but is purely financial with the core benefit being Land Value Uplift.

Even taking Land Value Uplift into account, this proposal has a weak financial case with at best Medium Value for Money.

CPRE considers that the effects on landscape and ecology of this proposal are totally unacceptable, including the effects of this proposal on the American Cemetery at Madingley.

CPRE believes that there is a growing body of evidence that segregated busways are not an effective means of cost-effective, flexible, public transport provision.

CPRE understands that CAPCA is the authority for planning bus service provision in the county and that this proposal is premature because CAPCA plans for bus service provision remain under development.

CPRE believes that the county needs and deserves an Integrated Approach to public transport planning, not the piecemeal approach that this proposal represents.

CPRE is concerned that if this busway is built it will be the council tax-payers of the County that will be left to pick up the ongoing high maintenance bills just as they have been with the existing busway.

CPRE considers that the relationship between this proposal and the proposed Congestion Charge and other busway projects for Cambridge should be investigated and clarified before this proposal goes forward.

CPRE is very concerned by the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of the major construction project this proposal predicates.

A copy of our press release can be seen here.