The latest news from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority:
CorrectionAt the meeting of the Combined Authority’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee this morning two members of the public attended to exercise their right to ask questions of Mayor James Palmer. Both questions related to the Cambridge to Cambourne Busway.In responding to the second question the Mayor gave the answer intended for the first question and vice versa. It has therefore been reported on social media that the Mayor answered the question: Can the mayor assure us that the GCPs preferred route will be confined to the scrap heap and that the Combined Authority will take a fresh look at the needs of current and future residents of West Cambridge?With YesThis was an accurate report of what was said but does not reflect the Mayor’s position on the issue. The Mayor’s position on the GCP’s preferred route was set out in response to first public question, to which he responded: As outlined in paper we are proposing that we should introduce a strategy for the whole CAM network that will allow us to assess how far the route to the West of Cambridge needs to be reconsidered including the need to take into account the recent announcement around the alignment of East-West Rail which I think is a significant development of which you are aware. It is important that the two schemes genuinely complement each other and maximise the benefits to the people of Cambridgeshire by provision of a genuine, integrated public transport network. It is also necessary that individual components of the CAM network should be fully integrated into the overall vision of the metro and I think, just to expand on that a little bit, and this is no fault of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, but their remit is South Cambs and the City. My job is to try and deliver an integrated public transport system for Cambridgeshire and a little bit like we say about East-West Rail – Cambridge is not a bookend well nor is Cambourne a bookend and we have to look to the wider route and I think it is very important that we do. Clarification of Question and AnswersQuestion 1Will the Combined Authority undertake to listen to the views of the Local Liaison Forum and residents in the villages affected when planning short term public transport improvements between Cambourne and key employment sites in Cambridge?Intended AnswerYesQuestion 2Residents of West Cambridge cautiously welcome your 28th February statement regarding the C2C busway on the Combined Authorities website.
Today, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough announced plans for a number of initiatives for faster and direct bus services for Cambourne. The Combined Authority will be exploring these initiatives with operators, funders and the local community. These new bus services and better bus routes from Cambourne will go to key employment sites north and south of Cambridge city centre.
Peterborough City Council have been successful in their bid for funding for A15 Vehicle restraint system (Safety Barriers) replacement work along nearly 8km of the A15, part of Peterborough’s parkway system.The Department for Transport will provide a maximum funding contribution of £ 419,000 by 31 March 2020 towards an estimated total scheme cost of £855,000 which will be met by the bidders, Peterborough City Council.The successful funding comes from the Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund Tranche 2B for the 19/20 financial year saving Peterborough taxpayers £419,000.The Mayor of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Combined Authority, James Palmer welcomes the funding for the successful bid said:“Keeping our roads in good condition and safe is a priority. The competition for these bids is heavily oversubscribe so this is great news for motorists on the A15. The Combined Authority is committed to a programme of works aimed at improving journeys across all our road networks, tackling congestion and ensuring the safety of all road users."Cllr Peter Hiller, cabinet member for strategic planning, commercial strategy and investment, for Peterborough City Council said:"The funding towards the replacement of the safety barriers along nearly eight kilometres of the A15 has come at an opportune time.
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 under the Beeching railway closures of 1968.The key aims for the project are to improve access to employment and education for local residents, as well as improving the connectivity to major centres such as Cambridge, Peterborough, London, and Stansted Airport.
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 with leading housebuilder Hill at the Rayners Green site, a development of 97 homes in a joint venture partnership between Hill Group and Scotsdales Garden Centre, which will include £100K Homes as part of the housing mix.
On Friday 6th March a report to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Transport Committee will outline the next steps of the proposals for public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge. It will seek to make two recommendations. Firstly, to get an agreement to set out a vision for the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro as a whole, against which the Cambourne to Cambridge scheme’s contribution to the overall CAM metro can be evaluated; and secondly, to recommend immediate public transport improvements between Cambourne and key employment sites in Cambridge which can be put in place by the end of this calendar year.The Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority wrote to the Greater Cambridge Partnership on Monday 17th February in his capacity as Chairman of the Local Transport Authority making it clear that he does not support the GCP’s proposals for public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge in their current form.The Combined Authority has now taken direct responsibility for the delivery of the public transport solutions for Cambridge to Cambourne. It clear that the interaction between the proposed Cambourne to Cambridge scheme and East West Rail needs to be fully understood to ensure that the two schemes will genuinely complement each other.
Mayor frustrated at the lack of ambitious plans for passengers on CrossCountry trains
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough mayor James Palmer is urging people to have their say on plans for CAM – the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro – through a public consultation launched this week.
Responding to significant concerns raised by residents in the area between Cambourne and Cambridge, James Palmer, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has announced that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is taking control of delivery of public transport solutions in the area.
Responding to Extinction Rebellion’s planned demonstrations, Mayor James Palmer said:
