Busway opening date announced – it's time to get onboard
Council bosses have announced Cambridgeshire's Guided Busway will open on Sunday 7th August. The revolutionary new link will offer 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 busy A14.
Stagecoach and Whippet Coaches, who will run the services on The Busway, are now in the process of registering the new Busway routes with the Traffic Commissioner. Timetables, stops and routes for the different services will be published next week.
Busway services will run seven days a week, and from Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm there will be buses running between St Ives and Cambridge at least every 10 minutes. Services to Huntingdon will be every 20 minutes with an hourly evening service running until midnight.
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 will also open on 7 August to tie in with the start of Busway services.
The Busway will be 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.
Bar Hill County Councillor John Reynolds, said; "The Busway is going to provide people with a reliable, fast and frequent form of public transport, making it the best way to travel. This route is much needed in Cambridgeshire and will set the standard for rapid transit systems being built in the future. Since the route was handed over to us, our absolute focus has been to get buses running on the track as soon as possible, and it is great news to finally announce the date people will be able to begin taking advantage of this fantastic new service."
Andy Campbell, Managing Director for Stagecoach in Cambridge, said: "Stagecoach has been committed to this project since the very beginning and we are delighted we now have a date when the bus services will begin. The Busway is a visionary project and we believe that our luxury buses with leather seats, free WiFi internet access and air chill will encourage more people out of their cars and on to the route. I am certain our customers will be very impressed with the speed and quality of the service."
Peter Lee, Director of Whippet Coaches, said: "As a local family-owned company it is great news to be part of this world beating project. Queues on the A14 are a big problem for buses as well as people in their cars and our loyal customers are all looking forward to their journey being greatly improved by the more reliable journey times along the track. We have invested heavily in new buses for the route and we believe it will be a great success."
The route will open on a Sunday to help get the service up and running before commuters begin using the route and further information on the services for the first day will be publicised in the coming weeks. Surfacing of the cycleway next to the track between Swavesey and Cambridge will also be completed before the route opens. This means walkers, cyclists and horse riders will also be able to begin benefitting from the high quality, safe and car-free route from 7th August. Final driver training will be completed in the weeks before the route opens.
Plans in place to raise flooded sections of Busway cycleway
Plans have been finalised to raise the level of the path next to the Guided Busway between St Ives and Swavesey. The Council's Cabinet will consider the proposals on 14 June which will make sure rain water no longer collects, flooding the path and making it impassable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders for much of the year.
The cost of correcting the defective path will be deducted from former contractor BAM Nuttall as they built the path at too a low level despite independent and official warnings. The work is scheduled to take place in August and September and does not need to be completed before bus services can begin.
As originally planned, the path will be built above the level of the surrounding land so it will only flood for a few days, to a few weeks, a year during a typical winter. This will only occur when the River Great Ouse floods and the adjacent land is under water.
At the Public Inquiry before the Busway was built it was explained that the path cannot be raised up to the level of the track that buses will run on. This is still the case as this would mean increasing the size of the former railway embankment which would have reduced the area available for flood water to be stored.
A blacktop surface is currently being laid on the path next to the track, apart from the Swavesey to St Ives stretch where crushed limestone will be used. However, officers are looking for further funding to complete this section as well.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Anyone who saw the path during the winter months will have seen it was impassable due to the flooding caused by rain water collecting. I am really pleased we now have plans in place to correct the problem as we know the route will be well used by cyclists, walkers and horse riders. The entire Busway route is still officially a construction site and as work is being carried out at a number of locations I would once again urge residents to take notice of the signs advising them not to enter the site."
New contractors raring to go to fix Busway defects
New contractors are ready to hit the ground running on Monday (23 May) as defects begin to be fixed on the Guided Busway. Jackson Civil Engineering has been appointed to begin correcting the problems as the final 28 days permitted for former contractors, BAM Nuttall, to address the problems has now expired.
The bridge over the River Great Ouse viaduct will be closed and fenced off from Monday as work begins to stop water leaking through the bridge on to the steel beneath. Bridge engineers have said the work is needed to stop excessive ongoing maintenance and to make sure the lifespan of the bridge is not reduced.
Busway officials have also ordered workers to move in to adjust the St Ives Park & Ride car park as there is currently not enough gradient on the car park causing rain water to form puddles. Contractors will also begin adjusting the gaps between the beams that make up the guideway to make sure the concrete beams can expand fully during periods of hot weather without damage.
The costs of correcting the defects will be charged to BAM Nuttall as they did not correct the defects they were independently notified of during the construction. Council bosses are once again reminding residents that the entire Busway route, including the cycleway next to the track, remains a construction site with no public access
Machinery has already been in operation at numerous points along the route to add a blacktop surface to the cycleway from Milton Road in Cambridge to Swavesey and to build an additional junction to help access to the Clay Farm development - which is being funded by developers.
Signs have been placed at the entrances to The Busway to inform residents work is being carried out and machinery will be in use at numerous locations and in most sections.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Our new contractors have been briefed and like us they are raring to get started now the 28 days permitted to fix the defects has elapsed. We have been working with Jackson Civil Engineering over recent weeks to make sure they could get going quickly and it is our job to make sure the works continue to be driven forward so the route can open as soon as possible. Everyone is keen to announce an opening date and once all the work is underway we will track progress so we can people know as soon as we can. While machinery is working up and down the route I would appeal to residents to be sensible and not to venture on to the construction site until all the works are complete."
Council agrees improvements to political management at AGM
Changes to Cambridgeshire County Council's constitution designed to improve political management and improve clarity and operational practice have been debated at the council at its AGM last month.
The changes include the abolition of the existing Policy Development Groups, with these being replaced by ad hoc Advisory Groups which will look at emerging issues. Scrutiny Committees which look at and comment on the work of the Council would be replaced by Overview and Scrutiny committees, and would be brought into line with the new Cabinet portfolios. The Chairmanship of these committees will be decided by the Council at its AGM, or any subsequent meeting if required, having regard to recommendations from the Leader of the Council.
Proposals agreed will streamline Full Council meetings, removing the requirement for Council to receive reports on all items discussed by Cabinet. Changes to arrangements for written and oral questions are also proposed. Under the proposals there will be a single hour long opportunity for members to ask questions of the leader, cabinet members and committee chairmen.
New Leader takes Cambridgeshire's vision to Government
The new leader of Cambridgeshire County Council has told the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that "We are open for business and ready to help the UK." Within just three days after becoming leader Cambridgeshire County Councillor Nick Clarke was invited to meet Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles to outline his vision for the county.
Councillor Clarke told the Minister that Cambridgeshire has a 'can do' attitude and was ready to do its part in encouraging enterprise and be at the forefront of increasing the UK's economic prosperity. The Secretary of State, who has been invited back to the County, welcomed the news that an application for an Enterprise Zone in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area is being made. Proposals to put money from locally generated business rates back in the area was also welcomed.
The meeting discussed how Cambridgeshire County Council was willing to take on pilot projects the Government was looking at. Councillor Clarke also said the Council wanted to be involved in schemes that could put budgets in the hands of communities or local representatives to help solve problems in the community.
Topics of conversation also included looking at franchise models to improve local transport and the introduction of shared services between Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire County Councils to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Councillor Clarke said: "I was honoured to be invited by the Secretary of State to meet him within just three days of becoming leader and we had an honest and very constructive discussion. I wanted to make sure he heard first hand our enthusiasm for improving conditions for our communities and businesses. We want to encourage enterprise in Cambridgeshire and I believe we are in the right position to drive both the local and national economy forward. Having an enterprise zone would be a real boost to the area, business and ultimately improve prosperity for our communities.
"We talked about how localism projects, such as providing funds for communities or local representatives, could help put decision making straight in the hands of residents. I want to make sure that Cambridgeshire is in the forefront of the Government's mind when they are looking at pilot areas for projects which could directly benefit our communities.
"I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State's thoughts on how business rates could come back to local areas, meaning money generated in the area would benefit that area. I have invited him back to Cambridgeshire where I hope to demonstrate our drive to find better ways to serve our communities and help put them at the heart of all we do."
Future jobs fund
During the last 15 months Cambridgeshire County Council Adult Careers Service (Next Step) has worked with 35 local employers to support over 200 unemployed young people to find work. This six month job, funded through the Future Jobs Fund, has resulted in many young people moving into full time employment or going into further/higher education. Read about the experience of a young person.
MPs join forces in schools fairer funding bid
MPs from across Cambridgeshire have joined the campaign to secure a fairer funding deal for Cambridgeshire's schools. Cambridgeshire has received low levels of school funding for many years. In the 2010-11 financial year, Cambridgeshire received a government grant of £4,093 per pupil - ranking it 132nd out of 151 local authorities.
For the current year, Cambridgeshire will receive £4,643 per pupil - meaning the county now drops from 132nd to 143rd out of 151 local authorities. Neighbouring Essex receives £4,816 per pupil, ranking the county 108th, while Peterborough receives £5,168 - making it the 55th best-funded authority. If Cambridgeshire was funded at the national average of £5,082 per pupil, this would mean nearly £35m more for Cambridgeshire's schools - or an extra £441 per pupil.
The Cambridgeshire Schools Forum - chaired by Bottisham Village College Chair of Governors Philip Hodgson - is leading the campaign to secure a fairer funding deal for Cambridgeshire, supported by Cambridgeshire County Council and the region's MPs.
Cambridgeshire's six MPs have now written a joint letter to Education Secretary Michael Gove, calling for an end to the current funding system and a fairer method of distributing money to schools. MPs James Paice, Andrew Lansley, Jonathan Djanogly, Shailesh Vara, Stephen Barclay and Julian Huppert say they welcome the Government's moves to change the current funding system, but add: "We are asking that every pupil receives a basic funding entitlement that reflects the cost of educating a child anywhere in the country."
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "This inequality in funding has gone on for too long. It needs to be addressed now. I am delighted that our MPs have joined forces in taking Cambridgeshire 's campaign to the highest level, and I hope the Secretary of State will give our schools the funding they need and deserve."
"It is clearly wrong that Cambridgeshire receives so much less than neighbouring authorities. It is the pupils themselves who lose out. Headteachers have said how much more could be provided for each pupil with funding levels at the national average - more teachers, greater and earlier intervention for students in need, extra lunchtime supervision and additional provision for sport, music and drama. It is time for the Government to act."
County's MPs join fight for fairer school funding – Cambridge News report.
Drink driving doesn't only happen at Christmas
County Road Safety Officers will be out and about across Cambridgeshire over the coming weeks handing out early 'Christmas cards' which spread the word that drink driving does not only happen during the festive season.
An exhibition trailer decorated as a 'Christmas Grotto' will be visiting Tesco stores in the county with leaflets spelling out the personal and legal consequences of drinking and driving and reminding people of the length of time alcohol takes to clear the body.
The roadshows took place in June in Bar Hill, Wisbech, March and Ely – visitors had the opportunity to win an iPod nano by filling in a questionnaire or by going online. The competition is now closed.
Local County Council John Reynolds, said: "1,100 drivers were arrested across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in 2010 for drink driving. There is no excuse for drinking and driving, any amount of alcohol affects a person's ability to drive. Drivers risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record.
"It's also important to remember the morning after. People who have been out drinking the night before may still be affected by alcohol the next day. Even though they feel ok, they may still be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit."
The roadshows have been organised by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership. Tony Barrios, Casualty Reduction Officer for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: "it is important to reinforce the drink drive message especially at this time of year, with long summer evenings and many of us enjoying time in beer gardens and at BBQs. Many people don't realise that drink drive casualties occur all year round and not just at Christmas."
Milestone returns to Hauxton Road
A 300 year old milestone has been returned to Hauxton Road in Cambridge after being fully restored and repainted.
The eighteenth century milestone is one of the 16 'Trinity Hall milestones' that run from Cambridge to Barkway in Hertfordshire. The stone was removed for storage and restoration by Cambridgeshire County Council whilst construction of the new Addenbrooke's Road/ Hauxton Road junction took place. Local stonemasons Ivett and Reed carried out the restoration, which was funded from the Addenbrooke's Road project.
The County Council worked closely with members of Trumpington Local History Group and Trumpington Residents' Association to relocate the milestone. The fully restored milestone were officially unveiled on Thursday 26 May in a short ceremony open to the public starting at 6.30pm.
"The Trinity Hall milestones are an important part of local history in this part of the county. Officers worked closely with the local community in deciding the specific location for the milestone and I would like to thank residents from Trumpington for their valuable input.”
“We are pleased to see the milestone fully restored and on show following its restoration and relocation. These milestones are an important part of Trumpington's history. The County Council were very keen to ensure it was looked after and returned to the area. With all the new developments being built in the area it is good to see that important pieces of history continue to be maintained."
Time to have your say on library opening hours
Residents are being asked to have their say on library opening times to make sure they meet the needs of local communities. Cambridgeshire County Council is transforming its library services to put communities at its heart while meeting tough savings targets. As part of this the service is looking to rationalise library opening hours across the county to make them more consistent and fair. The aim is for libraries serving similar populations to be open for the same number of hours and at times that meets local needs and better reflects use.
A public consultation has been launched across Cambridgeshire on the proposals and residents and library users are urged to have their say. For example the proposals suggest reducing evening sessions in smaller libraries as these are not well used, while retaining the much more popular Saturday opening hours to provide access outside of normal office hours. Specific proposals have been developed for each library, based on existing patterns of use, including times when they are particularly busy.
The Council also proposes to provide a spread of opening hours across libraries which are geographically close to each other, to provide customers with the opportunity to access library services for as many hours as possible. Library users will still be able to use the County Council's website to access library services 24 hours a day. The introduction of self service facilities in all libraries over the coming year will also provide potential for books to be borrowed outside of staffed hours in future.
The proposals include:
- Providing a fairer and more transparent basis for determining library opening hours, giving consistency across libraries serving similar sized communities.
- Ensuring that access to services at different times of the day/week is maintained to allow for individual users' circumstances.
- The opportunity to create more memorable patterns of opening hours, making it easier for customers to remember when libraries are open.
- Addressing some inconsistencies and inequalities which have built up historically.
"We want to make sure libraries are open when communities need them, while also making hours more consistent and equitable. The Council is committed to doing its best to protecting library services while meeting the tremendous savings required of us and all councils nationally. As a result we are proposing some slight reductions in opening hours at some libraries, but these proposals will also see fairer opening times that reflect the needs of local residents. Opening times will be tailored to each of our 32 libraries and there are individual questionnaires in each of them. Your library needs you - please take part in the consultation and help us shape the future of libraries in Cambridgeshire."
Questionnaires have been produced for each library, giving details of the proposed timetable for opening hours. You can also have your sayonline at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/libraries. The consultation ended on June 18.
The rationalisation of opening hours is based on the size of the catchment population served by each library. A fixed number of opening hours has been established for each catchment population band as follows:
- Up to 7,000 = 15 open hours per week.
- 7,000 - 9,999 = 23 open hours per week.
- 10,000 - 24,999 = 27 open hours per week.
- 25,000 - 49,999 = 46 open hours per week.
- More than 100,000 = 58 open hours per week
County Council to give communities greater say on speed limits
Cambridgeshire County Councils Cabinet has today (May 24) encouraged communities to consider new guidelines which give local people a greater say on speed limits in their community. Previously changes to speed limits were only considered by the Council for identified accident black spots or where it could be shown that reducing the limit would improve road safety such schemes were funded by the County Council.
But the new policy allows local people to request changes to speed limits in places which do not meet the county council criteria if the local community will meet the cost of any changes or associated work. The new speed limit policy agreed by Cabinet is a good example of how the County Council is listening to local people and giving them a real opportunity to have an influence over what happens in their community.
Localism in operation
As in the past where changes to speed limits meet the Councils commitment to improving road safety and reducing accidents, those schemes will continue where possible to be funded by the authority from within its available resources. However, when local people can make a case for changes to the speed limit which fall outside of our funding criteria it would be wrong to deny them an opportunity to make changes which the local community has identified as a priority. This is about enabling communities to take decisions that they perceive to be of local benefit. The costs need not be prohibitive and guidance can be given.
Conmen continue to bug PC users
Computer users are being warned to watch out for another computer scam which has been targeting people in Cambridgeshire. County Council Trading Standards Officers recently issued a warning after a number of complaints about scammers who contact people out of the blue and offering telephone support to deal with a 'virus' on their home computers. Conmen are now trying a new technique. They call claiming to be from 'Microsoft' or 'Windows', and say their central systems have identified a problem with your computer. They offer to fix this by dialling into your home computer remotely, charge for the 'repair' and offer an ongoing maintenance contract.
None of this is true - the police shut down many such companies for scamming customers in this way, but new scams continue to emerge in their place.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The truth is these people have no way of knowing whether there is anything wrong with your computer - in fact, they don't actually know whether you have a computer at all - they are just having a guess, and they are not in any way connected with these software companies. Not only are they ripping consumers off, but there is also the risk that they could install Spyware on customers computers and could access personal information. If you receive a call from these people, hang up the phone. If you wish to seek advice or report the matter, contact our partner organisation, Consumer Direct, on 08454 040506."
Major plan for County's future
A major plan to help deliver and manage housing and economic growth in the county has been backed by Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan has been shaped by over 14,000 responses from residents and organisations across the county, and will guide where vital waste, recycling and mineral extraction facilities are built.
The Plan has already been given the go-ahead by an independent planning inspector after years of work by planning chiefs, several rounds of public consultation, and a series of public hearings where the detail of the Plan was scrutinised. The Plan, which has been developed by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, gives guidance on where sites for sourcing construction materials such as sand and gravel for new housing, and locations for future waste facilities should be.
Its key aim is to make sure that any new development in the county is delivered in a way that doesn't negatively affect local communities, now or in the future. The Plan also has a focus on protecting the environment. This includes increasing wildlife habitat in the county, sourcing building materials close to new developments to reduce the need to transport heavy materials over long distances, and providing the best recycling centres to make it even easier for residents to recycle.
"This Plan will make a real difference to the lives of residents in Cambridgeshire, including creating new jobs and helping the economy. It confirms our view that the right way to plan for growth in the county is to work closely with local communities. The Plan provides strong guidance on where much needed facilities should be built. During its development, we have worked with residents and businesses to address a number of issues including heavy lorries driving through local villages. Through the major Block Fen/Langwood Fen project, it also provides important sustainable flood management for the area, much needed wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities for the local community. This has been a very long process and I am delighted that, through working with local communities and a huge number of stakeholders over the years, we are now at the point of signing off the Plan."
To find out more about the Plan, go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/mwplan.
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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