Combined Authority committee keeps options open for Wisbech rail

Combined Authority committee keeps options open for Wisbech rail

Getting Wisbech better-connected came closer today when the Combined Authority’s transport and infrastructure committee decided to move forward with an Options Assessment Report analysing the costs and benefits of different types of connection.

The options to be looked at will include both light and heavy rail modes and would centre on a service initially operating between Wisbech and March but with an eye to creating an ultimate link into Cambridge.

The service would not depend on improvements to free up the Ely rail bottleneck. The Government has not yet made any announcement in regard to funding for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme.

The committee voted to recommend that the Combined Authority Board draws down £80,000 to develop the Options Assessment Report to bring a much-needed transport link closer for Wisbech.

An Options Assessment Report is quicker and cheaper to produce than a complete business case and today’s vote by the committee means that plans to improve Wisbech’s transport links can move ahead, even in the face of the current uncertainty over track capacity at Ely.