Government has given the green light for a new busway and path for walking, cycling and wheeling linking Cambourne and Cambridge.
The new bus route will be delivered by Cambridgeshire County Council, on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Partnership. It will connect Cambourne to Cambridge via the new Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton and the university's Cambridge West site.
A new 2000-space travel hub at Scotland Farm, south of Dry Drayton just off the A428, will help drivers switch to a bus before they hit the queues into Cambridge city.
Cambourne is expected to grow significantly over coming years, with plans for up to 13,000 additional homes, bringing the total to around 19,500. As more people travel to Cambridge, the Cambourne to Cambridge scheme will be a vital part of keeping our region moving.
It will give residents more travel choices, making it quicker, easier and more reliable to get to where people need to go.
The Secretary of State for Transport’s decision follows four public consultations and extensive stakeholder engagement to fine-tune the proposals, culminating in an eight-week public inquiry last autumn.
Cllr Brian Milnes, chair of the GCP’s executive board, said “We all know how difficult it can be for residents to get from Cambourne into Cambridge. With thousands more houses planned for the area, this new route will be a desperately needed new transport link. Whilst many objectors wanted Cambourne to Cambridge to take a different route, almost all of them agreed that improved public transport is essential for our area."
Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Ensuring that the growing communities in places like Cambourne and Bourn are well connected to job opportunities, public services and leisure facilities is a priority for us. The Cambourne to Cambridge busway will give tens of thousands of residents ease of access to low carbon and low congestion transport into Cambridge city.”
Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “I have always worked towards an integrated transport solution for the region, and this is an important component of it. Offering fast, efficient public transport along with options for active transport like cycling gives everyone more choice. I am confident this scheme will ease congestion and delays on key routes into the city, improve journey reliability and contribute to better air quality, while supporting sustainable growth for communities both now and in the future.”
The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: “Our long-term strategy has always assumed there will be a high-quality public transport link to the west of Cambridge. Having looked at lots of different options - it’s encouraging to see a proposal that achieves these aspirations being backed by Government. It’s vital our growing communities have a reliable, sustainable, and affordable way to travel between Cambourne and the city – giving them a genuine alternative to driving. It will be particularly transformational for younger residents – giving them better access to Cambridge’s opportunities.”
The Secretary of State’s decision letter, the busway order and the inspectors’ report can be viewed at Cambourne to Cambridge guided busway: Transport and Works Act order - GOV.UK.
The council will now begin the full tender process, with contractors expected to be appointed in the new year to complete detailed design of the scheme. During this time further engagement with parish councils, landowners and other key stakeholders will take place to help shape the final design of the scheme. Main construction will follow the detailed design phase although some preparatory works may begin earlier.