Mayor backs Fenland campaign for connectivity between Guyhirn and March

Mayor backs Fenland campaign for connectivity between Guyhirn and March

Following a meeting with Fenland Parent Power, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, gave support to the group’s campaign for a safe cycling, walking and mobility route connecting Guyhirn to March.

Parent leaders from Fenland Parent Power met the Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson, and representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council to discuss their campaign to establish a safe active travel route for pedestrians, wheelers, and cyclists between March and Guyhirn.

During the meeting, the Mayor gave his support for the campaign, and explained that improving connectivity across the Fens through active travel is a mayoral priority.

Representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council also told the meeting that a consultation of key stakeholders will be launched in January 2024, to understand whether there is appetite for active travel routes to be established in the area.

Reflecting on the meeting and campaign to date, Joanna, a parent leader from the group, commented: ‘The future of building a cycling route from March to Guyhirn is looking very bright.

“The Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson, has been very supportive of our campaign.”

“I left the meeting uplifted and proud. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that the residents of Fens can have a positive impact on this beautiful region”.

Speaking about the meeting, Mayor Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:

“Increasing people’s access to safe, active travel routes around the Fens is a top priority for the Combined Authority, and for me personally. This event was about listening, hearing directly from parents how we can work together to improve opportunities for their children and young people, with safe active travel infrastructure that joins up with reliable public transport.”

The meeting was also attended by CamCycle – which campaigns for safer and better cycling in and around Cambridgeshire, – and Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough was also represented.

CamCycle’s Anna Williams said: “Camcycle has been pleased to support Fenland Parent Power with their campaign for a new cycle route between March and Guyhirn as we know just how transformative it will be for local families, opening up educational, work, and social opportunities.

“At the moment, cycling levels in Fenland are the lowest in Cambridgeshire, despite the district having the highest level of non-car ownership outside the cities of Cambridge and Peterborough. It’s time to change that and give everyone better transport choice and our young people increased independence.”