Issue - meetings

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport, to consider the outcome of consultations on the Rapid Transit System.

Supported in principle a proposal by Cambridgeshire County Council to use guided bus technology along the A14 to provide a high quality public transport link between Huntingdon and Cambridge; reaffirmed the need to develop a clean, efficient and affordable transit system and unless these concerns can be resolved agreed to lodge objections to the Transport Works Act

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the County Council’s document – ‘Cambridge to Huntingdon Rapid Transit System’, summarising a proposal to use guided bus technology on the A14 to provide a high quality public transport link between Huntingdon and Cambridge.

In discussing the content of the paper, Members’ attention was drawn to the opinion of consultants retained by the Council who had reviewed the proposals against relevant strategies and policies including national, regional and local objectives from CHUMMS, the Council’s MTP and the Cambridgeshire Structure Plan. 

Having acknowledged the advantages gained by the District Council thus far in influencing the decision on the routing of the scheme, that consideration would need to be given in the future to ‘park and ride’ facilities in Huntingdon, and the clarity of the Government’s decision rejecting either of the rail options, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the County Council’s proposal for a Cambridge to Huntingdon Rapid Transit System be supported in principle;

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be requested to convey to Cambridgeshire County Council, the District Council’s concerns with regard to the potential impact of the proposed system on the District’s built, historic and natural environment; and

(c)  that, in the event of the concerns referred to in (b) above remaining unresolved, the County Council be informed that the District Council would be disposed to object to the application required under the Transport and Works Act, 1992.