Mayor Paul Bristow: Saving the River Cam requires a team effort

Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, says businesses, colleges and councils must work together to protect the Cam.

We can’t let the Cam wither on our watch. And we can’t shy away from the fact that, given the river is ‘quintessentially Cambridge’, the stakes are high.

Last week I was delighted to confirm that the Combined Authority board gave final approval to £500,000 to stabilise Baits Bite Lock. It may not sound glamorous – a lock, wood, concrete – but to be absolutely clear, my proposal is about kick-starting saving the River Cam.

You will have read in the Cambridge Independent that without urgent work, the locks are at risk of failing. That could mean a muddy trickle instead of a usable river, but it also threatens safety and flood management. The daily life of the river – from the boat users and punters to the thousands who simply enjoy walking by its banks – would be threatened.

Most of all, it would put at risk one of the single biggest assets Cambridge has – a river that brings in millions through tourism and underpins thousands of local jobs.

Let’s not forget: people travel from all over the world to see and experience the River Cam.

I have said from day one as mayor that I want to do fewer things but do them well. And if you ask me the single biggest thing we could do for tourism in Cambridge right now, it is saving the River Cam. That’s why I put these proposals forward for half a million quid to get things moving.

But it won’t happen by accident, and it won’t happen if we leave it to chance. This has to be a collective effort – businesses, colleges, councils and anyone who has a stake in the future of the river. The Conservators of the Cam cannot do this alone. I’m happy to play my part, using the convening role of the mayor to bring people together to secure the Cam for future generations.

Because the bigger picture here is clear. Cambridge has grown significantly. That’s a good thing – growth brings jobs, prosperity and opportunity. But a growing city must never forget the key assets that make it special. Growth that forgets its foundations risks becoming growth that only works for some. Saving the Cam is the perfect example where the city needs to come together.

And there’s a big opportunity to make even more of our greatest treasures. Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we need a joined-up plan for tourism. That’s why I’m working with Visit England – the UK’s tourist board – on a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). This is about promoting our whole region, from Cambridge to Peterborough, Ely to Huntingdon – and using that national and international platform to reach even more visitors. Tourism doesn’t stop at council borders, and nor should our ambition.

With a proper plan and partnership, we can draw more visitors, support more businesses, and make sure the whole region shares in the benefits of tourism.

In other news, it was fantastic to play my part in the Cambridge Independent Business Awards last week. I was proud to present the Mayor’s Award for Scale-up of the Year – recognising the incredible businesses here that are growing fast and creating jobs. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. It was a great showcase of the breadth and dynamism of business in Cambridge.

As mayor, I am determined to help create the right conditions for that growth – better transport, skilling up the workforce, new housing and infrastructure investment, so that Cambridge and the region continues to be a world-class place to start and grow a business.