Cambridge United write to Greater Cambridge Partnership with concerns on how ‘Sustainable Travel Zone’ will impact local community it works alongside

Cambridge United have today confirmed that the club has written a letter to the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) in relation to public plans for a ‘Sustainable Travel Zone’ for the city.

Should the proposal, which has sparked plenty of debate, be enforced then road users would incur a £5 charge to drive their cars into and around Cambridge between 7am and 7pm on weekdays. The GCP have stated that the charge will fund an improved public transport network in the future, with passengers paying £1 to travel in the city and £2 for journeys in the travel to work area.

However, those opposed to the initiative, which the GCP hope to implement in 2026/27, have raised concerns over how the tax will hit people on lower incomes and the fear that it will kill off businesses.

From the football club's perspective, while they accept that change is required with regards to travel within the city, their concern centres around the impact any new scheme could have on the community that it works closely alongside.

A club statement read: “The letter highlights the club’s support for the need for change in relation to travel within the City. Still, it has raised concern that the proposals threaten to impact the operations of community organisations significantly.

“On an average week, the club coaches over 1,800 junior players via its academy and youth development departments. Additionally, it engages with 2,500 individuals via Cambridge United Community Trust’s health, social, and education programmes. In its current format, the proposals threaten to jeopardise our ability to continue to operate these services at their current levels.

“In advance of issuing the letter, which has had the input of the Shadow Board, the club has attended multiple consultation events, while GCP has also delivered a presentation and Q&A to all staff who have since been provided with the opportunity to complete the online consultation.”

The club has also encouraged supporters to participate in the consultation by visiting www.consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/making-connections-2022