Agenda item

The GCP Transport Director presented the report which set out the emerging recommendations for the better public transport project for Waterbeach to the Science Park and East Cambridge corridors. These corridors had been identified by the Executive Board as a priority project for developing public transport, walking and cycling improvements that were linked to the development of proposals for a regional rapid mass transit solution.

The Joint Assembly discussed the report and commented as follows:

·         Christopher Walkinshaw urged that consideration be given to those accessing Cambridge from outside the GCP area.

·         Andy Williams strongly endorsed the suggestion to look at the areas which had not yet been looked at. There had been a lot of focus on the west and south west but there was a need to consider the east, south east and the north of the area. The Transport Director assured the Joint Assembly that the boundary issue was recognised and this emphasised the need to work closely with the Combined Authority.

·         Councillor Williams pointed out that the boundary on the east side of the GCP’s area was very close to the city. Places on the east of the boundary such as Bottisham were as close to the city as places on the west such as Bourn, but were not covered by the GCP. He commented on the need for closer working with East Cambridgeshire District Council, pointing out that housing development in the District would generate commuter trips into Cambridge from the east side of the GCP’s boundary. The GCP had very limited input into these developments.  There was a need to liaise with both East Cambridgeshire and Forest Heath District Councils to ensure a more joined up transport strategy. 

·         The Chairperson commented that according to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) report, East Cambridgeshire had demonstrated the fastest recent growth in Cambridgeshire.

·         Councillor Wilson urged the GCP to take into account and engage with the communities along the A10. She referred to Cottenham, Willingham and Rampton in particular as they would be contributing to the congestion in the absence of any improvements to local public transport in this area. She pointed out that along this route many people had no alternatives than to use cars.

·         Councillor Kavanagh commented that the report did not refer to the planned greenways route from Waterbeach to Cambridge which could accommodate cyclists.

·         Councillor Bates requested that Joint Assembly Members be provided with links to existing reports about the work that had been undertaken on the A10 linking Kings Lynn to Cambridge and Ely to Cambridge. It was suggested that Joint Assembly Members should also be provided with a link to the report submitted to the County Council’s Economy and Environment Committee on the Waterbeach planning application.

In summing up the debate, the Chairperson referred to the general support expressed by the Joint Assembly for the emerging recommendations in the report. Members had however commented on the need for closer working with East Cambridgeshire District Council in the light of the increased housing development in the District and the resultant impact in terms of generating commuter trips into the GCP’s area. Additionally there had been a call for the GCP to take into account the communities  along routes that would be contributing to congestion in the absence of improvements to public transport, such as Cottenham, Willingham and Rampton, where residents had no alternative to using cars.