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The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) want to build an off-road busway from Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C), at an estimated cost of at least £230 million.
We fully support the development of much-needed infrastructure and better transport links from the west of Cambridge into the city and other key destinations. But it is clear that, for many reasons, the GCP's off-road scheme is not a good solution. The proposed route will cut through Green Belt land and an ancient orchard. It will irreversibly damage landscape, views and habitats. But there is a viable, cost-effective, alternative route, which:
Campaign enters critical phase
On 12th November 2024, Cambridgeshire County Council submitted their Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Transport and Works Act grants planning permission and gives powers to compulsorily purchase land owned by those who oppose the scheme.
The deadline for formal objections to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport has now passed. A huge thank you to everyone who made a submission. This will show the government the strength of support for our campaign and for the alternative route. If you have submitted an objection, you will receive a letter from the Department of Transport, in which you will be asked if you wish to speak or give evidence at a public enquiry and, if so, to respond within two weeks. The advice we have been given is that recipients of this letter should reply to say they will give evidence. This means that the option to speak will remain open for the time being; it will always be possible to withdraw at a later stage. This is not a done deal. With Cambridge Past, Present & Future and an alliance of other organisations, we are raising funds to pay for independent experts and legal representation at the public inquiry, which is likely to be held in the early part of next year.
We have now reached a critical stage in this campaign. We have already raised significant funds to pay for independent experts and legal representation at the public inquiry – but we do need more. You can support our campaign by
The on-road alternative will:
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You can help!
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What our supporters are saying
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"You can put a bus route anywhere you like, but you can’t mitigate for cutting down hundreds of trees like this."
Chris Packham on ITV News “The threat to the historic orchard at Coton is a sign that the urge among planners in the country to override environmental concerns in order to promote GDP growth remains undiminished.” Sir Partha Dasgupta GBE FRS FBA Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Cambridge “The National Trust continues to object to the proposal for an off-road busway between Madingley Mulch and Cambridge city centre because of its impact on a valued landscape which has intrinsic visual, historic and cultural significance, and which is fundamental to preserving the setting and special character of the historic city of Cambridge in accordance with its Green Belt purpose.” The National Trust "The open green spaces of Cambridge need protection." Sir David Attenborough "These ecosystems are developed over many many decades, and you can’t replant your way out of this kind of destruction." Joel Ashton, wildlife gardnening expert and TV presenter "Leave Coton Orchard alone!" Iolo Williams, wildlife expert and TV presenter Vertical Divider
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"“The climate crisis requires careful analysis before any investment into future-proofing our country is made. Where we need better public transport, care must always be taken that existing facilities are adapted before adding additional infrastructure across greenbelt land. In this case there is a far less destructive alternative, making better use of the nearby existing N-S highway. I join those who have stated very clearly that the proposed investment would prove to be a costly environmental tragedy.”
Sir David King, Founder & Chair, Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge "Coton Orchard has such enormous riches. I can’t think of anywhere else quite like it. And it’s big enough to be significant, and its connected to the surrounding countryside – and that connectivity is absolutely vital." Brian Evesham, CEO Wildlife Trust BCN “These veteran trees in Coton Orchard are protected through the National Planning Policy Framework, and are a vital and treasured part of the UK’s natural and cultural landscape.” Jack Taylor, Lead Campaigner at the Woodland Trust "The proposed C2C busway might, in the fullness of time, make a small contribution to combating the global climate crisis, but it would be a great shame if this could only be achieved at the cost of worsening the biodiversity crisis. It is not in our long-term interests to remove the trees of Coton Orchard, and the irreplaceable habitats in and around them, which, once lost, are lost forever." Clive Anderson, TV and radio presenter, former barrister, President of The Woodland Trust |
In a nutshell …
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The GCP's C2C off-road busway would be a tragedy:
For the environment
For local heritage and landscape
For the people of Cambridge
But the on-road alternative will save millions of pounds, cause minimal environmental damage, and provide more direct journeys to most key destinations. Vertical Divider
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