Light rail gains traction as a potential solution for Cambridge’s transport woes, challenging current busway plans.
The government made the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). They gave the GCP money for transport projects. They also created a mayor with transport powers. Now, the government has a new group: the Cambridge Growth Company. Peter Freeman leads it with three goals: affordable homes, more water, and better traffic flow. Fixing traffic is proving hard.
The region has struggled with clear transport plans. There have been many reports and studies. Groups like Cambridge Ahead offer ideas, and Peter Freeman attends these events.
Cambridge Connect thinks light rail is best. Light rail is clean, fast, and safe. They say it is more effective than buses. Buses can support a metro system, but buses cannot replace it. Cambridge Connect opposes current busway plans by the GCP. They think these plans send buses the wrong way.
The GCP’s bus route misses a key interchange. That route also skips important locations, such as the Cambridge Regional College and Science Park. It leaves riders far from the city center. Another GCP busway plan is environmentally flawed, plus, it doesn’t reach many workers.
Cambridge Connect wants a light rail link. It would follow the A428 and go through key areas. It requires a tunnel under the River Cam. They say financing the tunnel is possible.
To the south, they would use an old railway line. Their route passes through villages. It also connects to important business parks. Mass transit links would then be readily accessible.
Cambridge Connect plans in phases. They adapt to funding and practical needs. With support, they can build quickly. They could link Addenbrooke’s to the station within three years. They can change the existing busway to light rail. Future expansions could reach other areas.
Cambridge Connect supports the Oxford to Cambridge railway. Their light rail would connect to those stations. They suggest the railway skip a part of its route. Trams would better serve that area.
A Cambridge mass transit plan is needed fast. The busways will take years to complete. Light rail also require years. Better bus routes are an immediate need though. We need the government to decide soon. This stops further wasted money.
Upcoming elections must help solve transport issues. Hopefully, parties can agree on a long-term solution. Supporting light rail would modernize Cambridge. It could also reshape local government. Maybe the Greater Cambridge Partnership will disappear.
Goodbye GCP; hello Cambridge Growth Company. But more buses won’t solve things. Congestion hurts schools and hospitals and weakens the economy. All parties must act. Cambridge has waited too long.