At the Strategy and Resources Committee last week, a finance paper was considered which included a recommendation in relation to the Southern Section of the Guided Busway. The papers can be found here
Restoring the Southern Section of the busway to full operational use is a priority for us. A precise timeframe is, at present, unable to be provided as it involves complex issues, however we are continuing to work hard to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
An independent report produced by Mott Macdonald on the Busway Southern Section, which was published in June 2022, recommended that ‘at a minimum, the existing footpath / cycle path should be widened as much as is practicable’ (where not constrained for example by land ownership boundaries). In a news release published at the same time (Guided Busway independent safety reports published - Cambridgeshire County Council), we stated that ‘the County Council is looking at opportunities to improve the quality of cycling and active travel provision along the maintenance track’.
The funds agreed at Strategy & Resources, almost £3m, are for us now to look at the engineering feasibility, design, and then implement widening where reasonably practicable. Any future proposals would be subject to public engagement, but at this stage, we have simply identified funding to progress the recommendation of the independent report from Mott Macdonald.
There continues to be a live Health and Safety Executive investigation, and we remain in communication with them. However, for legal reasons it would not be appropriate to comment further.
