At its Full Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21, Cambridgeshire County Council supported the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s proposal for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) on a preferred route for the Cambridge to Cambourne busway – which follows seven years of public consultation and modelling.
The next step is that the GCP would submit an application to the Department for Transport this summer and it is likely that a public inquiry will be called later in the year, after which the Secretary of State will take the ultimate decision on the TWAO.
At the meeting Members took part in a lengthy and considered debate and listened to concerns about the potential loss of some orchard trees. If the proposed route is approved, the GCP is committed to planting 1,500 new trees which is significantly more than will be removed. Around 500 trees would be removed from Coton Orchard comprising mainly relatively young trees on dwarf rootstock.
The proposed route avoids constraints posed by the Madingley Wood, a biodiverse ancient woodland, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the American Cemetery.
Tuesday’s meeting heard the views of residents of Cambourne – particularly those of young people from the Cambourne Village College who are desperate for better public transport links – as they currently can’t access training and employment unless they have a car or willing and able parents.
Members confirmed that improving public transport, up to eight buses per hour each way, and getting fuel burning cars off the roads is the only way we are going to be able to support measures to reduce the Climate emergency, and that sustainable infrastructure is urgently needed for those newer and future communities in Cambridgeshire so they have access to education and employment.
A press release is available here – Council supports next stage of Cambourne to Cambridge busway - Cambridgeshire County Council
The full proposal can be found on our website Council and committee meetings - Cambridgeshire County Council > Meetings (cmis.uk.com)
The debate can be watched on our YouTube channel - Full Council - 21 March 2023 - YouTube
