Mass transit route through the South Cambs countryside proposed

We look at the potential impacts of proposals by the Greater Cambridge Partnership in its Cambridge South East Transport Study.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership consulted on proposals for strategies which would help deliver faster more reliable journeys on the A1307 between the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Haverhill. The consultation includes proposals for dealing with the many junctions on the route as well as the creation of a multi-user path for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders from the Cambridge Biomedical Campus to Linton. We had few comments on this part of the consultation as we hadn’t the local expertise to comment on the details. We can support proposals that will cut down on accidents and ensure a less traffic-congested road.

We did consider – and respond to – the following three strategies proposed in the consultation:

Strategy 1

A new dedicated Mass Rapid Transit route between the A11 and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus via Sawston, Stapleford, etc which would partly follow the route of the dismantled railway line and a new Park and Ride (P&R) somewhere near the A505/A11 interchange. This strategy would most likely form part of the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro being proposed by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. We rejected this as it would cross through attractive countryside and cause increased urbanisation of the countryside.

Strategy 2

An inward bound bus lane from Babraham Research Campus to Babraham Road P&R and a new public transport link between the P&R and Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We supported this.

Strategy 3

Inward bound bus lanes from Babraham Research Campus to Addenbrooke’s Hospital roundabout. We rejected this.

The strategies are presented as ‘concepts’, so we forsee we shall be presenting views on many future proposals.

CPRE response to the Cambridge South East Transport Study