Area Category: Fenland

Wisbech Community Led Local Development

Addressing poor employment opportunities, economic inactivity and work poverty

Employ-ability: Building confidence & skills

Breaking down past barriers with tailored support, skills and training and opening doors to volunteering & work experience

New Horizons

Financial education, digital training and getting back to work

Community Connections North

Increase participants’ confidence, capability and resilience before entering work

Chatteris Masterplan

March Masterplan

Wisbech Masterplan

Whittlesey Masterplan

Independent Commission in Climate

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority are helping to accelerate the delivery of clean local energy projects.

Wisbech Access Strategy

Improving the roads around Wisbech

Dualling the A47

Connecting communities along the A47

Kings Dyke

A new road crossing for King’s Dyke

A141 Huntingdon

Improving traffic on the A141 around Huntingdon

District Councils across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are now accepting applications for additional business support grants

The six District Councils across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are now accepting applications for their respective Additional Business Support Grant schemes. Resource has been made available from Central Government for District Councils across the region to help those businesses which are not eligible for the Local Restriction Support Grant but are still severely impacted by the […]

Mayor and Business Board Chairman react to the Government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper

The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has welcomed the Government’s “bold and ambitious” Skills for Jobs White Paper and the Chairman of the Business Board has said he is delighted the paper puts “the needs of businesses at the heart of further education”. The Skills for Jobs White Paper sets out landmark reforms that will […]

Independent Commission on Public Service Reform (CPICPSR) report published recommending health is put at the heart of every decision in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

An independent report, commissioned by the Mayor James Palmer, argues that post-Covid, the area’s health and care system must change to provide a more joined-up, local system that invests in prevention and brings services closer to the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The report has been made public as the result of a Freedom of […]

Fenland Rail

Bringing the stations of Manea, March and Whittlesea into the 21st century

£4.5m funding for 113 affordable homes in East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough

Today the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority housing committee gave approval on 4.5 million of grant funding to help create 113 new affordable homes across East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough. The housing committee gave approval for: A grant from the Combined Authority’s £100m Affordable Housing Programme of £1,576,000 was approved for 38 homes, 28 at […]

Three suppliers chosen to develop innovative concept designs to push forward pioneering CAM scheme

Three outstanding suppliers have been selected to develop bold, innovative conceptual designs to help inform and potentially transform the delivery of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM). The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has challenged the best of the market to propose technologies, innovations, designs, operational systems and commercial ideas which could provide an in-the-round solution […]

Mayor backs An Hour to Skill campaign

A new campaign which aims to boost the nation’s skills and job prospects by inspiring people to set aside just one hour a week for online learning, by taking a free course from The Skills Toolkit, has been backed by Mayor James Palmer. The Skills Toolkit is an online platform giving access to free, high-quality digital, […]

Business Bulletin: Issue Number 47

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Growth Hub have teamed up with YTKO to deliver a fully funded start-up course for people looking to launch, or have just launched their own business. We know how inspiring the idea of working for yourself can be, but also that managing your own business can sometimes be daunting […]

Business Bulletin: Issue Number 46

£4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs The Chancellor has announced additional support to help businesses impacted by new lockdown restrictions get through until spring. Support includes one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring. […]

Mayor’s statement on Covid vaccinations and the new national lockdown

“Despite news of the Covid vaccinations and increasing numbers of people being vaccinated,  the spread of the new variant Covid 19 has already led to rapidly escalating case numbers across our region and I recognise and  understand the Government’s concerns and the need for this inevitable nationwide lockdown. I am asking for a clear timetable […]

Fenland market town scoops millions for high street regeneration, helped by Combined Authority

March has been awarded £6.4million from the Government to help implement a “once in a generation” transformation of the town centre. Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, announced on Boxing Day that March is among the areas in England which will receive a share of £830 million from the […]

Mayor Blog overview of the year 2020

Few will be sad to see the back of 2020, but I want to finish this year by highlighting those things of which I am so proud. Covid-19 has had a hideous impact on so many lives, but what the team at the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has achieved this year has been incredible. […]

Major milestone for Community Land Trust as keys handed over to final four affordable homes for local people

A pioneering East Cambridgeshire Community Land Trust (CLT) set up by local people to build more affordable homes in their community, has passed a major milestone with the final four of its 23 properties now completed and occupied. The affordable homes at the Stretham and Wilburton Community Land Trust’s (SWCLT) Manor Farm development in Stretham are allocated to those with strong connections to the […]

A look inside the first £100K Homes

For the first time, the public get to look inside the first £100K Homes as James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough releases exclusive photos of the recently completed properties in Fordham. Despite construction setbacks this year due to Covid-19, the eight £100K homes have been delivered by Hill development in time for Christmas and […]

Mayor joins workforce on site of Soham’s new station

Mayor James Palmer this week visited the site of the new railway station at Soham which is being funded with £18.6m from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority which he leads. Network Rail staff and construction workers from the contractor J Murphy and Sons showed Mayor Palmer around the site where early construction work is […]

March station to be revamped for passengers, thanks to Combined Authority funding

March rail station is to be remodelled, following public consultation, and with continued funding support for the scheme from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. The work will see Greater Anglia create an open-plan ticket hall and waiting area, accessible modern toilet facilities, retail outlets, and an upgraded and extended car park at the station. The […]

Mayor joins new 8-car Fen Line train that doubles seats for Cambridge, Ely, Littleport and Waterbeach passengers

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, James Palmer, today joined passengers between Cambridge and King’s Lynn at the launch of the new double-length service that will boost seats on Fen Line trains from this Sunday 13 December. The first all-stations eight-carriage train did a run from Cambridge to King’s Lynn and back to the delight of […]

Mayor James Palmer welcomes 400 free courses for adult leaders

James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has welcomed an announcement from the Department for Education confirming that tens of thousands of adults will be able to benefit from almost 400 free courses next year. The fully-funded courses are the first major development in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, which was first announced by Central Government […]

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to launch Electric bikes in Cambridge and Peterborough from January

From early January onwards, people in Cambridge and Peterborough city centres will be able to publicly hire electric bikes as they are rolled out by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority in collaboration with Voi Technology, the U.K.’s leading micro-mobility operator.   From the 12th of January 2021, the public will be able to enjoy greener and healthier journeys on e-bikes, while remaining […]

District Councils open additional restrictions support grant schemes

The six District Councils across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are now accepting applications for their respective Additional Restrictions Support Grant schemes. Resource has been made available from Central Government for District Councils across the region to help those businesses which are not eligible for the Local Restriction Support Grant but are still severely impacted by the […]

Combined Authority invest £710,000 to support the recovery of Cambridge city centre

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority have awarded a £710,000 Local Growth Fund grant to a partnership led by Cambridge City Council to support the recovery of Cambridge city centre from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The partnership bid involving the city council, Cambridge Business Improvement District, Fitzwilliam Museum (Enterprises) Ltd and Cambridgeshire County […]

Business Board Chairman Reacts to Spending Review

Reacting to the Spending Review held on Wednesday, November 25th Austen Adams the Chairman of the Business Board said: “The Chancellor made some very exciting announcements in the spending review, which will help to accelerate and strength our recovery from COVID-19 across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. “It has been a tough year for business leaders, workers […]

£900k to build final ‘Quick Wins’ for March – and deliver a kid’s crossing for Christmas

Children, cyclists and Christmas shoppers will be among the first to benefit from today’s decision by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, to release almost a million pounds to start constructing the remaining ‘Quick Wins’ in the March Area Transport Study. Following the recommendation of its Transport and Infrastructure Committee, the […]

Fenland and East Cambridgeshire proposals win market town funding

The Combined Authority Board has today approved Combined Authority funding for a raft of imaginative projects for market towns in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. On the table was some £1.5 million for Chatteris, Ely, Soham and Whittlesey, all seeking to increase their pull for residents, visitors, and businesses. Future-proofing and history featured high on the […]

Fenland regeneration gathers pace in Manea and March with start on site and delivery date

In a major milestone to upgrade transport choice across Fenland, the Combined Authority Board has agreed funds to start construction at Manea and March railway stations and has set the end date for delivery. To accelerate this key Fenland Regeneration priority, Mayor James Palmer had asked the Board to sign off the outline business case […]

Mayor backs Fenland and East Cambridgeshire proposals for market town funding

Mayor James Palmer will this week ask the Combined Authority Board to approve Combined Authority funding for a raft of imaginative projects for market towns in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. On the table, some £1.5 million for Chatteris, Ely, Soham and Whittlesey, all seeking to increase their pull for residents, visitors, and businesses. Future-proofing and […]

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority mastermind ‘Trojan Bus’ to help police catch bus vandals

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, worked with Stagecoach and Cambridgeshire police to bring about the arrests of people vandalising buses in Cambridge, by masterminding the idea of a ‘Trojan Bus’, a normal bus running not in service containing plain clothes police offers, able to draw up alongside people unnoticed.   After reports […]

Combined Authority progress report reaffirms commitment to economic recovery

In a confident report on the progress into its Devolution Deal with government, the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority provides strong evidence to the November Board that it is delivering on its twenty five year mission to double to region’s economy and is working for economic recovery following the Covid pandemic.  The report, requested by the Combined Authority leaders back in October, provides an assessment on the 2017 Devolution Deal with the government. It shows significant progress on its ambitious long-term plans to deliver growth and public […]

Strong market response to CAM design challenge as innovative process moves to next phase

A challenge to the market to provide bold and innovative concept design solutions which could be instrumental to the future delivery of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) has passed to its next stage after receiving an encouraging first phase response. The challenge was launched by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to test the market […]

Ambitious CAM mission strategy wins backing of Combined Authority’s transport committee

A refreshed document setting out the bold strategic vision for the trailblazing Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro has passed a key stage for full adoption by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. The CAM Sub-Strategy is one of the ‘daughter’ documents of the Mayoral Combined Authority’s adopted Local Transport Plan and describes the economic, social and environmental […]

Mayor welcomes Minister’s public support for £500 million Ely rail upgrade

Mayor James Palmer today welcomed the backing of minister Chris Heaton-Harris for the £500 million upgrade to railway infrastructure in the Ely area. Confirmation of the rail minister’s support for accelerating the project, despite its rising cost, was communicated to the Combined Authority at a meeting six weeks ago,  and has now been shared publicly with industry specialists at the Rail Industry Association annual conference.  The Ely area capacity enhancement  – EACE – programme should […]

Mayor to deliver over 450 new affordable homes for residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority led by Mayor James Palmer has today approved the spend of £19.1 million to create 453 new affordable homes over 13 sites for people right across the region.   In 2017, the Combined Authority negotiated £100m of government funding to create 2,000 new affordable homes for people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by March 2022.  The 453 affordable homes announced today bring the Combined Authority significantly closer to this target.   […]

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority work with Voi to provide 24/7 free scooter rides to NHS staff and Emergency Service workers

All NHS staff and Emergency Service workers can now make Voi scooter journeys in Cambridge, free of charge, 24/7 hours a day during the period of new national restrictions, set to be in place until 2nd December 2020. The Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, is also expanding the e-scooter operational zone in Cambridge to […]

Fenland regeneration projects ‘going extremely well’

As improvement work on railway stations across Fenland pushes forward, transport committee members of the Combined Authority, which is paying for much of the upgrade, were updated today on progress. Councillor Chris Seaton, chair of the Fenland Regeneration Project Board, welcomed the pace of delivery as many of the projects have already been completed or […]

Peterborough A605 improvements completed to benefit all road users

Improvements to a busy section of road in Peterborough have now been completed, benefiting motorists and pedestrians. Work to widen and enhance a stretch of the A605 between the A1 Alwalton junction and Lynch Wood got under way earlier this year and were completed this week., including a new environmentally-friendly footpath made of recycled rubber. […]

Mayor champions ‘Quick Wins’ funding for greener, safer March

Mayor James Palmer will this week urge the transport committee of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to back him in pushing forward to completion a raft of road improvements for the key Fenland market town of March. The Mayor is asking the Transport and Infrastructure Committee of the Combined Authority to give the go-ahead […]

Public to have say on climate change action across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Commission on Climate, set up by James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has today launched a public survey on the most pressing issues of climate change across the region and what action should be taken. The survey can be accessed here and will run for three weeks from 26th October […]

European Union Exit Webinars for Businesses

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and businesses are being urged to prepare for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. To help your business prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU, The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority are pleased to offer the free webinar events listed below. […]

Mayor seeks ‘people-centred’ and integrated Cambridge South hub as Network Rail launches consultation 2nd round

As the new Cambridge South station comes closer with today’s launch of the second round of public consultation, Mayor James Palmer has welcomed Network Rail’s stepped-up delivery date while issuing strong warnings on service provision. Mayor Palmer, who leads Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, a major funder of the new station, has always insisted that […]

E-scooters in Cambridge City Centre – new carbon-neutral and socially distanced way to travel launched by Mayor James Palmer and Voi Technology

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, along with Voi Technology, the U.K.’s leading e-scooter operator, will launch its e-scooter trial in Cambridge City Centre this Thursday, 15 October.   For the next 12 months, residents and visitors will be able to take a ride on a Voi e-scooter whether they […]

Challenge launches to find cutting edge conceptual designs for trailblazing CAM scheme

A challenge to the market to create innovative conceptual designs which could inform and transform the delivery of the groundbreaking Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) has now gone live. Potential suppliers can now enter the first phase of a tender process, launched by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, which is casting the net as widely […]

Metalcraft secures funds for new training school

Stainless Metalcraft (Metalcraft) has appointed Ashe Construction as the main contractor for its new vocational training school, following a competitive public tender. The new training school will be located on Metalcraft’s Chatteris site and is funded through a £3.16 million Local Growth Fund grant from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. It will provide training […]

Mayor Palmer pledges further support to help bring transformational projects across the finish line

A multi-million pound bid to dramatically transform March town centre has been given a competitive edge in the bidding process after being backed by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. In May, Fenland District Council submitted an £11.3million bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund (FHSF) to help deliver a “once in a generation” […]

Free CambWifi going live in Huntingdonshire market towns

Free public access Wifi is going live in market towns across Huntingdonshire to help residents keep connected and bolster local businesses through the dark days of Covid. CambWifi has just gone live in St Neots and will be available in St Ives, Ramsey and Huntingdon town centres this autumn, bringing users safe internet access when they […]

Cambridge Business Awarded £40,000 Grant Towards Developing Agricultural Robots

A Cambridge-based business has been awarded over £40,000 from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority’s Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative to develop two mobile agriculture robot prototypes. Antobot Ltd is a robotics technology company, focused on the control hardware and software development for intelligent mobile robots, tailored for the application in the agriculture industry. With the […]

Café culture dreams for Peterborough receive an £800,000 boost thanks to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Plans for a European café culture in Peterborough have received a welcome boost, after a successful application to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.   A grant for £800,000 has now been approved as part of the Growth Deal funding (Local Growth Fund, LGF) which is provided by Government to local areas to invest in projects […]

Combined Authority Board approve £500,000 spend to support young people struggling to find work

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Board have agreed to allocate £486,297 to two schemes to support young people and adults. The money, which the Combined Authority received from the Department of Education, will be used to improve employment prospects of people aged 16-to-24, who will be leaving education this summer having been unable to […]

Fenland station car park plan wins resounding approval

Plans for a new car park at Manea railway station have been approved by Fenland District Council and design work is now forging ahead with an eye to completion in November.   Proposals for the much-needed project were agreed unanimously by Fenland’s planning committee. The car park, in Fodder Fen Road, will have spaces for around 100 cars, and will be just north of the station. It is one of a […]

Fenland wins as Board agrees first batch of Market Town proposals

Wisbech and Fenland featured strongly in the first tranche of proposals to help Cambridgeshire’s historic market towns ‘get fit for the future’. Today, Mayor James Palmer won approval from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Board for Fenland’s Wisbech and Whittlesey and Huntingdonshire’s Ramsey, Huntingdon, and St Ives to get funding for their development proposals. […]

Report reveals the impacts of Covid-19 on business and employment across the region

A report commissioned by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has highlighted the impacts of Covid-19 on business and employment across the region. The report was commissioned jointly by the Combined Authority Board and the Business Board and is based on analysis conducted in August 2020. The report aims to provide an up to date […]

Mayor James Palmer challenges brightest and best to deliver conceptual designs for pioneering Metro scheme

Some of the best brains in engineering, science, tech and digital are being challenged to shape the future of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) by developing conceptual designs for the vehicle, its infrastructure and how the system might operate. The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority is testing the market for existing and potential technologies, innovations, […]

More people helped out of cars and into healthier modes of travel with Mayor’s multi-million bike-lane fund

In a bid to improve the health of the region, ease congestion and improve air quality, Mayor James Palmer is funding over 80 new improvements to cycle lanes, walkways, roundabouts, and changes to traffic flow to get more people out of their car and walking and cycling. The work is to be delivered by Cambridgeshire […]

New bus service linking Bedford to Cambridge through Cambourne carried over a thousand passengers in first two weeks of operation

The new 905 bus service commissioned by Mayor James Palmer, which provides a long needed public transport option to those commuting between Cambourne and Cambridge Science Park, has carried over a thousand passengers in its first two weeks of operation. Almost half of these boarding’s (475) were in Cambourne, demonstrating why it was important for […]

Manea car park gets thumbs-up from Fenland planners

Fenland district councillors have given unanimous approval for a car park at Manea station, funded by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, so that the much-needed project can now forge ahead. Proposals for the new car park, to be built on land north of the station with access from Fodder Fen Road, went before Fenland District […]

Mayor wins back ‘lifeline’ Fen services after train chiefs cave in

In a surprise U-turn following a meeting with Mayor James Palmer, train operator CrossCountry has announced it is reinstating the stops at Manea and Whittlesea stations which it axed last week. The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough met company bosses on Friday to denounce the cuts CrossCountry had made on the Peterborough-Cambridge line – cuts which had a devastating impact on children and commuters struggling in the face of Covid to return to classroom and workplace.    Mayor Palmer was […]

We must use our public transport networks – or risk losing them

As we usher in a new season, it is great to see so many of us have returned to the office and children to school. In my office we are mostly back and enjoying a new kind of normal, catching up after a long period of working primarily from home. It is also encouraging to […]

Mayor says Covid must not be used as an excuse to cut Fenland ‘lifeline’ services

The train operator Cross Country has decided to stop its services halting at Whittlesea, March and Manea, blaming a resource issue. Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority officers have engaged with Network Rail and Department for Transport officials over the past week over the Cross Country cuts and will continue to engage with these teams to find solutions to ensure long-term […]

Mayor welcomes public consultation for Ely North upgrade plans

Following regular discussions and lobbying from Mayor James Palmer and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Network Rail has announced it will begin the first phase of public consultation for proposals to upgrade the railway in and around Ely on 21 September. Phase 1 will run for six weeks. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement programme […]

Leader in major infrastructure delivery, Simon Wright OBE, appointed to help drive forward CAM

Simon Wright OBE, a civil engineer and senior executive with more than 40 years’ experience delivering multi-billion pound infrastructure programmes, has been appointed to support the development of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM). Working on a part-time consultancy basis, Mr Wright joins the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority at an important phase. He will provide […]

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority #RescuetoRecovery Retraining Scheme prioritises retraining and getting people back to work

At a time when economic recovery is more important than ever, the Cambridgeshire &Peterborough Combined Authority prioritises individuals by supporting them to retrain into new jobs. According to the ONS figures to the end of July, the number of people on payrolls in the UK has decreased by 730,000 since March. Meanwhile, in July 26,630 […]

Fenland towns set to bid for millions of pounds of Combined Authority investment

Preparations are under way in Fenland to win millions of pounds worth of Combined Authority investment for the district’s four market towns. The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, last month agreed to more than double the amount of investment for its Market Towns Programme – with £13.1million now available to […]

Mayor’s Blog: Showing Covid a Clean Pair of Wheels…

One of the greatest conveniences of the modern world is public transport – and making it more available, more accessible, more reliable, more climate-friendly, more joined-up, and more affordable is high on my agenda as leader of the Combined Authority. Disappointing, then, that one of many casualties of Covid-19 is actually the public’s use of […]

Mayor James Palmer tours Cambridge City and St Ives with Stagecoach to see extra steps in place to ensure safe bus travel

Mayor James Palmer tours Cambridge City and St Ives with Stagecoach to see extra steps in place to ensure safe bus travel Bus travel continues to be a safe and convenient way to travel to work and for leisure Customers urged to follow the new government regulations on face coverings, which are mandatory on all public […]

New £30 million university for Peterborough is officially launched by Universities Minister

Minister of State for Universities Michelle Donelan has today (14 July) announced Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) as the official higher education partner for a new employment-focused university in Peterborough, an initiative by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) in collaboration with Peterborough City Council (PCC). ARU will deliver the curriculum for the new university, […]

Mayor’s Blog: The Urban Spaceman

After months being cooped up and locked down, it was wonderful to be walking through the fresh air of Cambridge market this week, meeting traders, city ambassadors, and shoppers face-to-face – well, space-to-space –  to ask how they’re doing, what they want, and what we can all do to help them. Up close(ish) and personal. […]

‘Capital of the Fens’ back on track? Mayor’s plan for Wisbech rail gets green flag

In a historic vote, the business case for re-opening the Wisbech rail link was this week approved by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. The Transport and Infrastructure Committee was asked to accept the conclusions of the Full Business Case – the FBC –  that restoring a heavy rail link between Wisbech and Cambridge would […]

Boost for rail commuters as station car park plans forge ahead

Plans to create new car parks at Manea and Whittlesea railway stations have moved ahead with the appointment of a specialist contractor to develop the schemes. The new car parks are among the raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the […]

Mayor meets Minister to discuss restoring Wisbech rail link

Ahead of the next week’s meeting of the Combined Authority’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, Mayor James Palmer met the rail minister, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, to discuss the case for reconnecting Wisbech to the rail network. “It was a very positive meeting. The Minister is fully cognisant of both the needs and opportunities of our rail […]

Mayor’s ‘road-trip’ shares A10 options with public despite Covid

Thanks to a ‘virtual road-trip’ which went live this week, people can have their say on the shortlist of options being considered to improve the Ely-Cambridge stretch of the A10, despite Covid-19 safeguards restricting public gatherings. Although the public consultation demanded by statute will not be held until much later this year, Mayor James Palmer […]

Combined Authority to deliver another 296 affordable homes for Fenland, Peterborough and Huntingdon

The Mayoral Combined Authority has today revealed it will be providing 296 additional affordable homes across Fenland, Peterborough and Huntingdon, taking the Authority over three quarters of the way towards delivering on its promise to build 2,000 new affordable homes by 2022. The new affordable homes announced today, take the total up to 1,596 funded […]

Mayor welcomes selection of Cambridge South station preferred location

Network Rail has identified the preferred location of the proposed new railway station for Cambridge South. The chosen location corresponds with Option 1 presented to the public earlier this year and follows a review of engineering and design information together with the results of public consultation. James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, […]

Last chance to have your say on a better future for March

Time is running short for people to make their voices heard on a better future for March. Those who live, work or regularly visit March are encouraged to enter an innovative virtual consultation room to give their views on ways to tackle congestion, encourage more cycling and walking and create a more vibrant town centre. […]

Mayor’s Blog: A Tale of Two Cities – and Eleven Market Towns.

We could all do with a pandemic pick-me-up and June hit the ground running with terrific news from the Combined Authority Board. More than a pick-me-up, it’s a big step forward.  Board members gave unanimous and very enthusiastic approval for our region’s market towns to apply for a share of a whopping £13.1 million to […]

Micro Grants boosting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s smallest businesses during coronavirus

104 of the smallest businesses in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been awarded grant funding to help them adapt to the economic shock of coronavirus via a new scheme launched in response to the pandemic. The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority’s Micro Grant Scheme is for businesses with five employees or fewer. It was launched quickly […]

‘Going virtual’ to keep March transport consultation going despite coronavirus

A public consultation on how best to improve the future vitality of March will be ‘going virtual’ thanks to an innovation being used by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to adapt to coronavirus safety measures. Local people are being invited to step into an online virtual consultation room to take part in the March […]

Mayor James Palmer hails rapid impact of Combined Authority’s coronavirus business grant scheme

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s rapid response to the coronavirus has so far seen £4.48 million in cash grants awarded to support local businesses. The newly created Covid-19 Capital Grant Scheme has now awarded money to 106 businesses across the region to fund investments which are forecast to protect 479 jobs and create a […]

Mayor sets up Covid-19 ‘think-tank’ for Cambridgeshire business resilience

Meeting for the first time today, a new Covid-19 leadership group set up by Mayor James Palmer laid out a hard-hitting agenda to help the region keep its businesses going until the emergency is passed. The Mayor’s aim in establishing the Mayor’s Forum – a single voice for business in Cambridgeshire – is to foster […]

Mayor launches £2.3 million war chest

Mayor James Palmer today launches a region-wide campaign urging companies caught in the grip of the pandemic to apply for Covid-19 grants to help them ‘build muscle’ for better times. The Mayoral Combined Authority through its Business Board – which acts as Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s Local Enterprise Partnership – is urging small and medium sized […]

A COVID-19 coordination hub has been launched across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help those who are most affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

A COVID-19 coordination hub has been launched across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help those who are most affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council are now calling on people across the county to get in touch if they can volunteer their time to help others in a co-ordinated effort which […]

Transforming Wisbech Rail

On Friday 6th March a report to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Transport Committee will outline the next steps for transforming the Wisbech Rail project which seeks to offer a direct passenger transport service between Wisbech and Cambridge by re opening the line to March for the first time since the service was axed […]

First ever £100K Homes now under construction in key milestone for scheme’s birth

Work is underway to build Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s first ever £100K Homes. Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, James Palmer, who is spearheading the groundbreaking scheme, visited a new housing development in Fordham today (March 3), where the first eight £100K Homes will be completed before the end of 2020. Mayor Palmer met […]

Public urged to back trailblazing £100k Homes after website launches

People in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are being urged to show their support for £100K Homes via a new website for the innovative scheme which makes one-bedroom properties available to buy for £100,000. Driven by James Palmer, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, £100K Homes will offer an affordable step on to the housing […]

Mayor applauds Health and Care Work Academy achievements

At a prizegiving event today Mayor Palmer joined learners to mark two important milestones for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Health and Care Sector Work Academy. The Combined Authority Academy has taken on its 500th learner, Martina Bakir, and simultaneously celebrated Rui Patinha gaining the Academy’s 100th job in Health and Care. The Mayor was […]

Mayor James Palmer launches e-bikes in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with Voi to support key workers to move safely

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, led by Mayor James Palmer, has today (21stJanuary 2021) launched electric bikes for public hire in Cambridge and Peterborough City centers.   Cambridge and Peterborough residents will be able to hire Voi e-bikes to move safely while making essential journeys while adhering to the social distancing recommendations.   E-scooters […]

More affordable homes for Huntingdonshire and Cambridge after funding agreed

The Housing and Communities Committee of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has approved funding for 81 affordable homes at sites across Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire on Monday. Three different sites in Stilton, Ramsey and Alconbury will provide 42, 11 and 17 affordable homes respectively, through a mixture of social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership. […]

Access all areas: Mayor’s trailblazing summit to bring better mobile phone coverage

Mayor James Palmer recently convened a trailblazing summit bringing Mobile UK and the four Mobile Network Operators (EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone) together with business leaders and local councillors to achieve progress by collaborative action. In a major first for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, the Mayor brought together the big four mobile phone networks to find […]

Mayor calls for Cambridge South station action now

‘We cannot wait for East-West Rail’ – Mayor calls for Cambridge South station action now The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer has said that a train station at Cambridge South must be delivered locally, with very little chance of it arriving by 2027 as part of the Government’s East West Rail plans. A […]