There are a number of public consultations taking place at the moment which could make a big difference to the future of transport and housing in Cambridge. Newnham Labour strongly encourages everyone to take part in these, as they are such an important way for all of us to participate in local decision making. The consultations are:

Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (deadline 28/11)

The Combined Authority has developed a vision for an improved transport network across Cambridgeshire. They sum it up as follows: “A transport network which secures a future in which the region and its people can thrive. It must put improved public health at its core, it must help create a fairer society, it must respond to climate change targets, it must protect our environment and clean up our air, and it must be the backbone of sustainable economic growth in which everyone can prosper. And it must bring a region of cities, market towns and very rural areas closer together. It will be achieved by investing in a properly joined-up, net zero carbon transport system, which is high quality, reliable, convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Better, cleaner public transport will reduce private car use, and more cycling and walking will support both healthier lives and a greener region. Comprehensive connectivity, including digital improvements, will support a sustainable future for our region’s nationally important and innovative economy.”

This consultation allows you to comment on the Combined Authority’s proposed vision for transport for the region.

Greater Cambridge Local Plan – First Proposals (deadline 13/12)

The first proposals are 19 suggested sites for additional development up to 2041, put together by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. You can comment on the overall vision for the Local Plan, and on individual sites. You can watch a video introducing the Local Plan here. More information, including details of a number of public engagement sessions, is available on this page.

Of almost 900 sites considered by planners, 19 were selected in the First Proposals, including new low-carbon neighbourhoods on brownfield sites at NE Cambridge and Cambridge Airport. Labour councillor, Katie Thornburrow, Executive Member for Planning and Transport at the City Council, said, “We want to use land carefully and wisely – building on as small an area as we can, so we can boost the amount of land managed for nature and take steps to increase our biodiversity. It is clear from the evidence that our concerns about water supply are well-grounded. This needs urgent action by government and the water industry if we are to realise the benefits that this plan could bring to our communities.”

Making Connections, Greater Cambridge Partnership (deadline 22/12)

Here you can comment on the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s City Access project, which aims to reduce traffic to free up more space for sustainable transport and to fund more frequent, lower-cost bus journeys. The GCP is proposing:

• A new bus network, offering more frequent services, with longer operating hours, more rural connections, and new routes into our growing employment sites.
• Creating space for improvements to walking and cycling and our public spaces
• Options for raising money to pay for improvements to the transport network.

Cambridge Eastern Access – Newmarket Road improvements, Greater Cambridge Partnership (deadline 22/12)

This is a proposal to reduce congestion and air pollution on and around Newmarket Road – reallocating road space to bus and cycle lanes, making the Elizabeth Way and Barnwell Road junctions safer, and relocating the existing Park & Ride. Longer term, the GCP also has plans for a busway and upgrade of the railway line to Newmarket.

The GCP says: “Following a period of public consultation in the Autumn of 2020 GCP has developed a number of options to implement short term improvements to public transport, cycling and walking on Newmarket Road which can be delivered prior to 2025, as well as potential relocation of the Newmarket Road Park and Ride.As part of this work, we want to hear your views on potential public transport, walking and cycling improvements to enable people to get around more easily.”