We understand there is a lot of information regarding the improvements along the Guided Busway. This page aims to help answer some questions residents and users might have. It explains why the changes are needed, what work is being done, and how it may affect people.
The speed limit is temporary until the permanent fencing and barriers have been installed across the whole Guided Busway. It is in place for safety reasons to stop people from accidentally going onto the busway and because we know pedestrians are crossing the busway at unofficial crossing points
The speed limit will be revised as each section of fencing is completed.
We have been engaging with the bus operators throughout the introduction of further measures. We reached an agreement with them about the planned speed reduction before it was announced.
We calculated for a speed reduction of 20mph for 16 miles of busway to be about 20mins, but we appreciate there will be hold-ups in terms of traffic flows off the busway. People can access real time information on the app.
We will continue to engage with the bus operators on a weekly basis, and we appreciate all of their work to keep services running for our residents and visitors.
The busway is subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The busway is treated as a workplace and is managed and regulated as such. Section three of the Health and Safety at Work Act places a duty on the council to protect the public who could be exposed to risks on the busway. The County Council must act promptly to manage and reduce the Guided Busway’s health and safety risks.
The busway is not considered a road and isn’t covered by the same laws. It is treated as a workplace and subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The busway is completely different – it is off-road and on guide rails.
These works were identified earlier this year. At the public meeting we highlighted that we would be blocking off access points and must report back to the HSE as people have been observed routinely using informal crossing points.
In August, we announced the lower speed limit on the Guided Busway at Histon. As part of this, we said the speed limit reduction would enable potential risks we have identified with pedestrians crossing to be further reduced. In advance of the new fencing being installed along the whole of the Guided Busway, we will be closing off some undesignated crossing points which are being used.
This was explained to residents at a public meeting. We understand people’s frustrations about the fencing, but people must keep to the formal crossing points for their own safety.
We are aware of 23 informal crossing points, and we have 34 formal crossing points, including road crossings. We will create a map and add this to the website when available.
We’ll soon be launching an engagement survey on the crossing points across the full length of the busway. We’ll invite people to respond to this, and they can give us their feedback.
The new fencing between the busway and the path, which runs alongside the busway, is being designed to consider the potential impact on wildlife. Where required, the fence will be made with openings to allow small mammals to pass through. We are working with an ecologist to get specialist advice.
The council was clear that following the sentence received, lessons had been learned, the busway safety regime had changed and there would be further improvements going forward. We are delivering a programme of works to enhance safety along the busway. These additional safety measures will benefit those who use the busway and those who walk, cycle and run alongside it – this is for everyone. The speed reduction is a temporary measure until the fencing is in place.
We’re in discussions with the Greater Cambridge Partnership about their busway plan and safety remains a paramount consideration for the proposed new busways
The fence is to help prevent people from intentionally or unintentionally trespassing on the busway. The gates are for emergency access.
We’re working with our contractors to get a map to show the programme of work. This information will be available on our website - Guided Busway improvements | Cambridgeshire County Council
We’re looking at two types of fencing for the southern section. The picture below is the fencing which is already on parts of the southern section and will be used on the remaining parts. It is going onto the busway to separate the busway and the path.
We’re using a green perimeter fencing to block off informal crossing points which are being used. Pictures to follow.
The northern section is still being designed and procured. We’ll share this information when available.
No, these additional measures build on the County Council’s commitment to health and safety on the Guided Busway and to future proof the safety of this important piece of infrastructure
We have got £13.58m to deliver our fencing and flood mitigation works across the whole 16 miles of the Guided Busway. However, costs are subject to detailed design and procurement processes.
We’ve said until the end of next year, 2026. We’ve started work on the fence on the southern section between Trumpington and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
We have 16 miles to complete across both the southern and northern sections.
In June, the Highways and Transport Committee agreed to further safety improvements on the Guided Busway.
This work is separate and is to improve safety along the busway.
We have £59m of capital funding we spend on highway maintenance, and we have allocated more than £73m for highways maintenance in 2025/26.
We have carried out feasibility work to address the flooding along sections of the busway near the Holywell crossing and Fen Drayton. During flooding, when the gates are closed across the path, people still find ways to divert the flooded sections - causing a safety risk. Various solutions are being looked at, including a pontooned walkway.
Design work for the fencing of the norther section and options to help with the flooding is currently in progress. This section requires detailed ecological and design considerations as well as public engagement and discussions with key stakeholders before these works commence.
We’d like to remind people they must not trespass on the busway, and they must keep to the maintenance track or formal crossing points for their own safety.
