‘Let’s get things moving’: Mayor Bristow’s first day begins with action

‘Let’s get things moving’: Mayor Bristow’s first day begins with action

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow has hit the ground running with his first actions in support of his election pledge to ‘get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving’.

On day one, he announced a clear shift in direction and momentum at the Combined Authority, setting out a new approach based on pace, purpose, and delivery.

The Mayor’s first actions are:

1. Standing up for drivers: The Mayor has begun work on his pledge to “end the “war on motorists”. From today, the target of reducing car miles driven by 15% by 2030 will no longer be applied.
2. Strategic reset: The Mayor has suspended the existing Corporate Strategy and Mayoral pledges pending a full review. This reflects the need to align the Combined Authority’s strategic priorities with the clear policy direction set out in his manifesto.
3. Pushing an alternative route for East-West rail: The Mayor has written to the East-West Rail Company to propose how a Cambridge light rail system could connect Cambourne to the city well before East-West Rail arrives. This would unlock a quicker, cheaper southern route that avoids disruptive embankments through villages like Hardwick and Comberton, while still serving Cambridge South.
4. Focusing on work in our region: The Mayor has written to Government about ending the Combined Authority’s role as the accountable body for the Greater South East Net Zero Hub. Although hosted by Combined Authority, the vast majority of the Hub’s activities are outside Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with no direct impact on residents. The Mayor has asked Government about how best to transfer responsibility to a more appropriate authority, ensuring the Combined Authority focuses on work that directly supports local residents.
5. Your money: The Combined Authority Business Board now has an advisory role only. With no future Government funding for the Business Board, the Mayor has started the process of removing allowances for the chair, vice chair and members, inline with his manifesto pledge. He is determined to ensure public money is focused on frontline priorities and is reevaluating all activity and funding.
6. Getting a delivery-focused Mayoral team in place: Key appointments have been made to support the Mayor in delivering results for local residents.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: “I’m determined to bring pace and purpose to being Mayor, starting on day one.

“These are just the first steps in making the Mayor matter to you.

“Today I am ending the war on motorists, ensuring that your money is spent effectively and putting my manifesto priorities in place.

“We are getting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving.”