I went along to the Greater Cambridge Partnership consultation evening on Wednesday 29th November 2017 held at Coton Primary School. The event was well attended and offered me an opportunity to see the physical scheme presentations and also speak to local residents. I have received a steady stream of emails and surgery visits since this project was first mooted, so this event was ideal for me to chat to people in person again, some months on and see whether views had changed.
In summary the routes are...
Option A (previously known as option 1) - An on-road option which includes the introduction of a bus lane on Madingley Road between the Madingley Mulch roundabout and Lady Margaret Road.
Option B (previously known as option 6) - An on-road tidal bus lane on Madingley Road running between the Madingley Mulch roundabout and the new entrance to Eddington (High Cross).
Option C (previously known as option 3/3a) - An off-road busway running between the Madingley Mulch roundabout and Grange Road, Cambridge.
Residents will know I have expressed great concern at an expensive, green belt cutting, off-road option since day 1. Although I appreciate many will be disappointed that an off-road option is still on the table, I am extremely pleased and a little relieved that 2 on-road options are now ALSO being fully considered. Huge credit is owed to the local LLF community group, who designed the origins of Option C.
Having listened to many locals again, I remain unconvinced that an off-road solution is needed to deliver better bus journeys between Cambourne and Cambridge. In my view the cost and environmental impact cannot be justified by a couple of minutes saving in journey time.
I think the answer lies somewhere between Options A and B. We fought hard to get the on-road options back on the table and I haven't given up yet!
The Greater Cambridge partnership are clearly listening, so I want to encourage as many people as possible to submit to the consultation before it closes on 30th January 2018.
Our voices matter - so let the Greater Cambridge Partnership hear them! To read my submission to the consultation, please click on the link below..