24,000 respond to Greater Cambridge Partnership consultation on bus improvements funded by road charging

A consultation detailing proposals to transform how people travel in and around Greater Cambridge received about 24,000 responses.

The Making Connections consultation by Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) officially closed on Friday (December 23) at midday.

The GCP received more than 23,000 responses to an online survey about the proposal over the 10-week consultation period. The transport body also received nearly 900 emails with various questions and more than 100 responses from stakeholders.

It follows more than 100 public meetings, virtual and outreach events, and 50 focus group events.

The GCP says work will now begin to analyse the huge amount of data and information that has been submitted.

And the results of the consultation will be included in a final report on the proposals and next steps, which is scheduled for the GCP executive board in June 2023.

The GCP board will make a recommendation to Cambridgeshire County Council on whether to proceed with the scheme at that time.

Conversations have begun with stakeholders around potential exemptions, discounts and reimbursements for the proposed road user charge and will continue between now and the publication of the report next year.

The GCP says this will help them closer to having solutions sooner should the proposals be taken forward.

Cllr Elisa Meschini, chair of the GCP’s executive board, said: “There has never been a more important time for us to find ways to create and provide a modern transport network that is fit for our growing and thriving region, so I would like to thank the thousands of people that contributed to the debate over the last ten weeks.

“It has been incredibly important to us to hear from as many residents, businesses, voluntary groups and organisations as possible so to have had 23,000 surveys completed reflects the wide nature of the engagement.”

The GCP consultation has ignited intense debate, with strong views expressed for and against the Sustainable Travel Zone.

Vehicle charges would apply within the zone between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, including most of Cambridge city.

The charge will fund an improved public transport network, with passengers paying £1 to travel in the city and £2 for journeys in the travel to work area. The public transport improvements would be in place before the charge is implemented.

For more information about the GCP’s programme visit greatercambridge.org.uk/mc-2022.