World's longest Busway welcomes first passengers
Council and bus operator welcomed the first customers on the longest Guided Busway in the World on Sunday 7 August 2011. The revolutionary new link offers a reliable, fast and frequent service between Huntingdon, St Ives and Cambridge, giving residents a high quality alternative to the long queues and uncertain journey times on the notoriously congested A14..
Stagecoach and Whippet Coaches, who will run the services on The Busway, are operating seven days a week – with buses between St Ives and Cambridge at least every 10 minutes during weekdays. Services to Huntingdon will be every 20 minutes. There will be hourly services on Sundays and in the evenings, when buses will be running until midnight..
Cyclists, walkers and horse-riders will also be able to using the route between Swavesey and Cambridge as the high quality, wide, safe and car-free path next to the guideway opens. The Swavesey to St Ives section will begin to be raised and surfaced in August. During the work this section will be fenced off and not open to the public.
The Council is reminding users to be aware that buses are now running on a frequent basis and traffic signals will give buses priority at road junctions. It is anticipated around 3.5 million trips will be taken on The Busway each year. The dedicated track for guided buses will mean passengers will be able to travel by public transport between St Ives Park & Ride and the Science Park in Cambridge in just 20 minutes.
Cambridge Gateway – a project to improve bus, cycle and pedestrian access into Cambridge railway station – was completed earlier this year, and the new link to Hills Road has also opened on 7 August to tie in with the start of Busway services.
The Busway is the longest track of its kind in the world and includes two new Park & Ride sites at St Ives and Longstanton, with spaces for hundreds of cars and covered cycle parking. The shorter southern section connects Cambridge Railway Station, Addenbrooke's Hospital and Trumpington Park & Ride with a completely traffic free link.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The Busway will raise the bar for other public transport schemes in the future and is going to be an asset for Cambridgeshire communities to enjoy. Being able to get on a bus in Huntingdon or St Ives and bypass the congestion on the notorious A14 will be fantastic. This route is all about giving people a reliable and green alternative to using the car."
Information on routes and timetables can be found by logging on to www.thebusway.info. A comprehensive list of all the bus services in Cambndidgeshire is on the County Council's website.
Cambridgeshire police thank community for continued support
Police in Cambridgeshire are thanking residents for remaining calm after untrue rumours of disorder in the county. Extra patrols were carried out following the riots in London on 8 August and the county remained relatively quiet with no reports of disorder or damage to property.
Deputy Chief Constable John Feavyour, said: "I would stress there have been no incidents of violence and disorder reported in the county. Businesses and residents should continue with their lives as usual – by working together, we can make South Cambridgeshire an even better place to live. Plans remain in place in response to disorders in London and other cities, however there is no information to suggest a threat in Cambridgeshire.
"Patrols were increased in the county and we are continuing to allocate extra resources. I would urge people to not pass on these rumours via e-mail, text or social media.
"Anyone who uses the current national issues as an excuse to commit crime will feel the full force of the law. We would like to thank the community for their continued calm and support of officers working to keep the county safe.”
Restorative justice – a sixty second brief
The term 'restorative justice' has been much in the news recently following the riots in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and other major centres in England. It allows officers to use their professional judgement to deal with crimes such as low-level theft, minor criminal damage and minor assaults on-the-spot. It gives victims an instant resolution to their complaint, but can only be done with their approval.
- It cannot be used to deal with serious crimes or for repeat offenders and can only be used where a person has admitted their guilt, shown remorse and is willing to apologise and make amends.
- Restorative justice can be used as an alternative to criminalising children.
- Research suggests a person is less likely to re-offend if they have faced up to their crime and the harm it has caused and there is greater victim satisfaction because they have more of a say in the outcome.
- Officers in Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to use their professional judgement and look at all the options available to resolve a criminal investigation involving a minor offence, especially when dealing with children.
- Restorative justice provides an alternative to the traditional process of arrest and punishment which can involve protracted and costly prosecutions. That said, the needs of victims remain a priority and are always considered.
- Restorative justice can be used for tackling low level anti-social behaviour.
Restorative justice – case studies
- Criminal damage to a window - youth offenders apologised and cleaned all the windows on the victim's house.
- Shoplifting - adult offender apologised, paid for the goods and tidied the shop for 30 minutes.
- Shoplifting - youth offender stole £3 worth of goods. Under restorative justice they cleaned 100 shopping baskets.
- Common assault - adult offender apologised and paid £75 compensation immediately.
- Shoplifting - adult offender stole £2 worth of food. The person apologised, paid for the goods and was banned from the shop for 12 months.
- A PC noticed a drunk man urinating in the street during the day. Instead of issuing the man with a fixed penalty notice he was made to clean it up.
- A 12-year-old caused £75 worth of damage to a car. Under restorative justice the young person gave a written apology and his/her parents paid for damage.
Don't fall for scam that goes phishing for your bank details
E-mail fraudsters claiming to be from PayPal are out to get your bank details Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards has warned. The e-mail fraudulently pretends to be from PayPal, a legitimate company used by many people to buy goods online. People are told in the fake e-mail they have paid for something they had not ordered and then urged to apply for a refund - allowing fraudsters to get personal details.
One victim got an e-mail suggesting they had ordered a leather bag for an iphone 4 costing £159.99. The e-mail goes onto say if you haven't authorised the charge to clink Pon a link for a refund. This then leads the e-mail recipient to pages where they are encouraged to give over personal financial details which could be used to access bank details.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to use e-mails to encourage the unwary to give over bank details, known as phishing. If you have any doubt about an e-mail or transaction contact the company directly or if you believe it to be a fraud you can forward it to spoof@ebay.co.uk or just delete it. Cambridgeshire Trading Standards is dedicated to supporting consumers and companies making it easier and safer to do business in the County."
Trading Standards – a spotlight on energy
We all want to do our bit to save energy around the home – to be ‘green’ and to save money. However, at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service we have seen an increase in queries from residents about ‘cold callers’ selling energy saving schemes, particularly loft insulation and solar energy, so below we offer some advice to help you.
Solar energy
Before you start it’s worth taking a look at the information provided by the Energy Saving Trust on www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or speaking to an advisor on 0800 512012.
For supplier/installer information, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme can provide a list of members online or by calling 0207 0901082. Membership is not compulsory, but you will need to use a member if you plan to use the Feed-in Tariff scheme (a government-backed initiative paying you for the electricity you generate).
Obtain three quotes to ensure the price and projected savings are competitive and realistic. Arrange a technical survey, rather than a sales visit, so the quote is accurate, and ensure all quotes are in writing, detailing what’s included. Once you’ve chosen your installer read the contract carefully and ensure their claims about savings and maintenance costs are included before signing so that you have evidence of what you were told.
Remember! If you sign an agreement at home for solar energy, you should be given 7 days to cancel. If you need advice on this, ring Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506.
Loft and cavity insulation
When it comes to insulation, the Energy Saving Trust can provide information on grants and offers that can help you cover the cost of it. They can also provide a list of installers. It is advisable to use a member of the National Insulation Association, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency or the British Board of Agreement, ideally who has signed up to a professional code of practice and provides a 25 year guarantee.
Reducing your energy bills
Start by checking with your current gas and electricity supplier that you are on their best rate. Then compare the prices of other suppliers in case you can get it cheaper – switching supplier could save you around £237 a year if you haven’t changed before.
You can compare prices on the Consumer Focus weekly pricing factsheets at www.consumerfocus.org.uk or by contacting Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506 for a paper copy. Also, most suppliers offer cheaper tariffs for ‘vulnerable’ customers, so it is worth enquiring about these ‘social tariffs’ if you are over 60, are on means tested benefits or are on low income.
In addition, your District Council could offer you advice on how to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home by offering a home visit, or you can get tips by calling the Energy Saving Trust.
Support if you are struggling to pay your energy bills
If you are struggling to keep on top of energy bills, seek help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, either in person or on the phone on 08444 111 444.
Finally, if you feel that you have been mis-sold any product or service – energy or otherwise – or have any other kind of consumer issue, contact our partner Consumer Direct for advice.
Srategic growth update
The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has submitted details of projects seeking funding from The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Key bids for Cambridgeshire include £10 million to provide high speed broadband services to parts that would otherwise remain digitally excluded due to commercial and market factors and £2 million for apprenticeships in the County.
The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been awarded £220,500 of start up funding from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. This is to help support its work during this financial year, including setting up a small, core team.
Cambridge Southern Fringe
Trumpington Meadows The planning committee on the 13 July 2011 approved two reserve matters applications for 343 dwellings. The first homes are anticipated to be built during the first half of 2012. Work has commenced for the delivery of 1,200 homes, 40 per cent of which will be affordable. The initial works is to provide key infrastructure. Improvements are currently being made to a road within the Trumpington Park & Ride site. This has triggered the first S106 payments to the County Council for the Addenbrooke’s Access Road, CGB and M11 junction improvements.
Trumpington Meadows Primary School The full planning application was approved by the planning committee on the 13 July 2011. The Trumpington Meadows Primary School will be a two form entry school for up to 420 pupils. The school incorporates dedicated community facilities including shared use hall, sport pitches and a floodlit multi use games area. The school, federated with Fawcett Primary School, is anticipated to be opened September 2012 to serve the first residents of Cambridge Southern Fringe.
Clay Farm The planning committee on 14 July 2011 approved the reserved matters application for 306 dwellings. It is anticipated building will commence early 2012. Key infrastructure to serve the site, including the Clay Farm Spine Road is currently being built.
Glebe Farm Construction will commence in October 2011. A planning application for 128 dwellings scheduled to be considered by the planning committee on 6 October 2011.
Cambridge North West
NIAB and University developments The Planning committee on 10 August 2011 agreed to the removal of the condition restricting the NIAB development to 350 occupations until such time as improvements to the A14 are made. This means that the planning permission can be issued and the development commenced. University site planning application is expected to be submitted 19 September 2011.
Pathfinder project could make millions in savings and income
A pathfinder project in Cambridgeshire which could both save and generate millions of pounds for tax payers has been praised by Government. The project has mapped out buildings being used by public services across Cambridgeshire to look for ways to share assets, make savings and deliver joined-up services.
Cambridgeshire was successfully chosen by theGovernment to be one of 11 Capital and Asset Pathfinders projects. Communities Minister Baroness Hanham has praised the work of Cambridgeshire and other pathfinder projects. For the first time assets, such as buildings which are used or in the control of Cambridgeshire public services, has been mapped out on one easy to use electronic tool.
This is a very powerful way of identifying potential to share and remove unsuitable properties and for communicating the picture on public sector assets to other parties. Pathfinder has also helped to make contact with government departments and agencies to create even more dramatic solutions to share facilities.
As well as bringing millions of pounds in benefits to taxpayers, it is expected that services will be more joined up under this work to the benefit of service users. The partnership has also worked to develop a joined-up strategy for managing the public sector estate in Cambridgeshire to meet and plan for broader issues such as regeneration, new development and reducing their impact on the environment.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Cambridgeshire is at the forefront nationally of looking at ways of sharing facilities and services with other public organisations.
“This pilot project, which is part of our Making Assets Count scheme is the first step in driving forward real benefits for the communities we serve. It means services can share facilities by putting them in one place on the doorstep of our communities to make it easier for them to access.
“It could also see millions of pounds in both savings and income as assets which are not needed are sold or shared. Public organisations as a whole will be able to plan better where services should be based to meet changing demands and work together to get the greatest benefit."
Safety improvements on Aconbury bridge… and footbridge testing in Huntingdon
Safety works to repair the bridge on Globe Lane in Alconbury began on 8 August following wear and tear over the years, including brick and scour damage to the concrete apron on the bridge supports.
The work will replace damaged bricks and also construct a new concrete apron on the stream bed between the arches – the arches themselves will be pinned with stainless steel bars.
In order to complete the work as soon as possible to minimise disruption to residents and commuters, the road will close between 9am and 5pm for three weeks.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Steve Criswell, Cabinet Member for Community Infrastructure, said: “Our bridges carry millions of cars, bikes and pedestrians every year to ensure we all get where we want to go.
“We have a team who check out all our structures to ensure they are safe to withstand the demands made on them. In this case, the bridge on Globe Lane is now in need of safety improvements and we will also take the opportunity to strengthen the bridge’s structure.”
There will be a signed diversion route in place diverting traffic via the local roads of Woolley and Buckworth Road.
Meanwhile, in Huntingdon, bridge experts have completed the testing the footbridge between Huntingdon and Godmanchester. The inspection checked for any corrosion of the steel reinforcement within the concrete as a result of the recent cold winters.
"We all know how cold our recent winters have been and the damage which this has caused via potholes to the highway network,” said Steve Criswell. “The cold can also effect our bridges too, which is why we spend a lot of time checking the structures to ensure there is no damage which would endanger the integrity of the bridge.”
Contact John Reynolds
County Councillor John Reynolds
4 Holly Trees
Bar Hill
Cambridge
CB23 8SF
T 01954 200 571
F 01954 200 571
M 07720 379699
E john.reynolds@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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