C2C EXPLAINER
Setting out the facts and with contributions from Chris Packham and other high-profile supporters, this short film was screened at the C2C Prospective Parlimentary Candidates Question Time, in Coton on 16th April.
Setting out the facts and with contributions from Chris Packham and other high-profile supporters, this short film was screened at the C2C Prospective Parlimentary Candidates Question Time, in Coton on 16th April.
The GCP's off-road scheme
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) scheme runs on road in Cambourne, then off road from Bourn to Scotland Road, parallel to the A428.
It rejoins the road, diverts to a new Park & Ride at Scotland Farm, then runs on the A1303 through Hardwick village. The route leaves the A1303 before the ‘Madingley Mulch’ roundabout, and cuts through fields, hedges and the Coton Orchard, which is a County Wildlife Site. It then goes over a new motorway bridge and through another, smaller County Wildlife Site to run on road through the West Cambridge University Site. The final section then goes off-road, across the West Fields, and along a narrow access road to reach Grange Road, where it joins the city’s road network. |
The reasons we are opposed to this scheme are:
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A better solution
The off-road route has been consistently rejected by the general public at every stage of the consultation. And yet the GCP has never explained why it has continued to pursue this option, comparing with on-road options that were not viable.
Contrary to what the GCP are claiming, an in-highway scheme is entirely feasible. This is borne out by detailed analysis in the GCP’s own C2C Outline Business Case Options Assessment Report, Section 8 and this 2021 Report, and was deemed to have merit by an Independent Audit.
An alternative, in-highway scheme comprises a range of measures that include some sections of bus lane and some new bus-priority traffic signals. Together, these measures would enable buses and other traffic to run freely along the A428 and A1303, and then into Cambridge, as well as south on the M11 to the Biomedical Campus.
Contrary to what the GCP are claiming, an in-highway scheme is entirely feasible. This is borne out by detailed analysis in the GCP’s own C2C Outline Business Case Options Assessment Report, Section 8 and this 2021 Report, and was deemed to have merit by an Independent Audit.
An alternative, in-highway scheme comprises a range of measures that include some sections of bus lane and some new bus-priority traffic signals. Together, these measures would enable buses and other traffic to run freely along the A428 and A1303, and then into Cambridge, as well as south on the M11 to the Biomedical Campus.
