John Reynolds' County report – February 2012 (2)

Cambridgeshire County Councillor John Reynolds.


Cambridgeshire set to welcome Paralympic Flame

To mark six months to go before the start of the Paralympic Games, The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has announced the areas across the UK which will hold Flame Celebrations as part of the Paralympic Torch Relay.

A number of sites throughout Cambridgeshire are to receive parts of the flame in a new concept for the Paralympic Torch Relay, where Four Flames will be lit in London, Greater Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff and then shared throughout the nation.

These events over the August Bank Holiday weekend (25 to 27 August) will include:

  • Cambridge  The flame will be received in the closing ceremony of the 'Paralympic sports fortnight' in the city.
  • South Cambridgeshire  There will be a special lakeside event in Milton Country Park where music and activities will entertain local people as the flame arrives.
  • East Cambridgeshire  The flame is to received at a ceremony on Ely riverside, followed by a spectacular evening event on the Palace Green in Ely.
  • Fenland  There is a special event planned at the Hudson Leisure Centre, Wisbech involving the Fenland Disability Sports Forum (Fendis).
  • Huntingdonshire  The flame will arrive for an event at the Grafham Water Centre and be welcomed by the Burns Children Club.
  • Peterborough  There will be a showcase event involving a handcycle parade and the opening of the Peterborough Disability Games.


The four Flames will then be united at the Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of the Paralympic Movement to create the London 2012 Paralympic Flame.  This Flame will be carried on a 24 hour overnight Relay to London and the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

Councillor Martin Curtis, who leads on the Olympics at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "It is fantastic news to hear parts of the Paralympic flame are coming to our county. The Paralympic Games was actually founded in the UK in 1948, when Dr Ludwig Guttmann organised a competition at Stoke Mandeville hospital for World War II soldiers with spinal cord injuries.

"Cambridgeshire has a long and celebrated history with the Olympic and Paralympic movement so I am sure the events which are being planned and the excitement which is building around the Games will touch the lives of many in the months to come."

Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012, said: "We are thrilled to announce that places throughout Cambridgeshire will play host to a Flame Celebration. This new concept will involve people from all around the UK in the spirit of the Paralympic Movement in unique ways relevant to the area.

"I know that people from Cambridgeshire will get involved in this celebration and help ignite passion for the Paralympics across the UK."

A total of 34 communities around the country have taken the opportunity to host Flame Celebrations and be part of the programme of events that will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

On Tuesday 28 August, the Paralympic Flame will be carried Torchbearers, running in teams of five, in a 24 hour overnight relay from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 

Paralympic Games. The 620 inspirational Torchbearers, who will also carry the Flame during local community visits, are being chosen by the three Presenting Partners, BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury's.

There were over 3,500 nominations from across the country and they are now going through judging before the successful teams are announced in the next couple of months. The relay will also include nominations from the British Paralympic Association and the International Paralympic Committee.

People will also be encouraged to help light the way to the Paralympic Games by lighting a lantern. For more information visit www.london2012.com/get-involved/local-leaders/lantern-festival.

Photos of the Paralympic Torch are available on request. Please send the request to pressoffice@london2012.com.

To find a Flame Festival or Flame Celebration near you, and to see a fly through of the London 2012 Torch Relay programme, please go to www.london2012.com/paralympic-torch-relay.

Paralympic Torch Relay dates and events

     24 August 2012 - London Flame lighting event.

     25 August 2012 - Greater Belfast area Flame lighting event and Flame Festival.

     26 August 2012 - Edinburgh Flame lighting event and Flame Festival.

     27 August 2012 - Cardiff Flame lighting event and Flame Festival.

     28 August 2012 - Stoke Mandeville special ceremony to bring together all four
          Flames to create the Paralympic Flame and 24 hour relay begins.

     29 August 2012 - Paralympic Flame arrives at the Stadium in time for the
          Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

For further information about the Paralympic Flame Festivals please go to www.london2012.com/paralympic-torch-relay.

Working up plans to improve the Ely rail crossing

Work investigating the various options to tackle congestion and remove the conflicts between road and rail in Ely is gathering pace, ahead of a final decision to be made this summer.

Since a public consultation revealed 81 per cent of the public supported Route B, ten per cent backed route D and four per cent preferred an enhanced underpass to resolve the problems of road and rail traffic in the south of Ely, officers at Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council have focussed on a number of tasks, including:

  • Environmental assessments of impact on the conservation area and cathedral setting of each of the options presented to the public.
  • Ground investigation work on the land which could be used for routes B and D.
  • Meetings with Network Rail engineers to discuss the possible impact of lowering the existing road under the current railway bridge.
  • Desktop archaeology looking at the land across the south of Ely.
  • Updating monitoring statistics to take into account changes in traffic use and flows.
  • Meetings with English Heritage to carry out a wider evaluation of all the options.
  • The installation of a mobile air quality monitor to study the air quality in the South of Ely to help investigate the impact of recent changes within the city and the effect which the various options would have on pollution.


The results of this work will then go out for further public consultation ahead of a final decision being made by the Cabinet at the County Council in the summer.

Councillor Ian Bates, Cabinet member for Growth and Planning at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "Since the public consultation, our officers have been hard at work investigating all options which were presented to the public last year, and it is important to remember that no decision has yet been made in favour of any particular option.

"This work has involved, for example, drilling to test the land on route B, talking to Network Rail about the impact of an underpass and investigating the effect of traffic on air quality in the south of the city. This type of information is crucial for us to come to a conclusion about which option will deliver the best overall outcome.

"No one should underestimate our resolve to tackle the problems caused by the current level crossing situation once and for all. If we get it right, we can help to enhance the city of Ely in a way that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors, and simultaneously help the railway to play its full role as a critical freight and passenger line of national significance.

"The work we are doing now is to ensure no stone is left unturned before we make our final decision."

Councillor Peter Moakes, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "Resolving the traffic congestion around the Ely railway crossing will show our commitment to creating the infrastructure required to support the long term economic growth of our city, district and county.

"The public have already told us they support Route B in overwhelming numbers. The problems in this area will only get worse in the future and so it is crucial that we make progress on a solution."

Could you be a Buddy?

Volunteers are needed to help provide basic IT and internet skills to the over 50s. Could you spare a couple of hours a week to help Cambridgeshire County Council's Computer Buddy scheme that runs in local libraries?

The scheme, providing free one to one sessions, is part of Cambridgeshire County Council's drive to provide a range of services for the communities they serve, not just a place to find books.

In particular volunteers are needed in Ramsey, Cottenham and Soham.

Maggie Brown, EngAGE Project Co-ordinator for Cambridgeshire County Council, said "We're keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping us. We ask volunteers to commit two hours per week - but this can be flexible to suit them. During the sessions volunteer tutors will explain and demonstrate basic problems such as how to operate Word, open up and use email and web searching - helping to make computers less daunting for those not used to them."

If you are interested in helping please speak to a member of staff at one of the libraries mentioned or by calling 07824 406 103.

Cambridgeshire youngsters set to take part in cracking film makers session

Cambridgeshire youngsters interested in film making will be able to take part in a series of masterclasses over the next two weeks. It's part of the run up to the 2012 Cambridgeshire Young People's Film Festival, which will be taking place this summer.

The sessions will be held in three schools and led by industry professionals who will show and involve children in activities and explain the essentials skills needed for film making.

  • Storyboarding - 27 February at Cherry Hinton Primary, Cambridge.
  • Soundtracking - 29 February at Ely St Mary's Junior School, Ely.
  • Model Making - 7 March at Burrowmoor Primary, March.


Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said "We're delighted to welcome back a Storyboard Artist and Modelmaker from the Aardman Studios, famous for making Wallace and Grommit, as well as a composer and performer from Seldom Scene, currently working at the Tate, London.

"The festival provides the focus and inspiration to encourage children to produce films. Work in this area really engages young people and contributes considerably to their overall literacy development."

On track to move Science Park station from concept to reality

The green light has been given to move long-held plans for a new rail station in Cambridge from concept to reality by County Council. 

The station, to be called Cambridge Science Park, will be built on the Chesterton Sidings site to the north of Cambridge.   

The County Council and its partners have been developing the plans for the station on the basis that the station could be provided commercially and paid for from rail ticket revenues.

To allow early delivery, initial capital funding for the station will be provided by the County Council and then recouped from the train operating companies over a number of years.

A letter just received by Council Leader Nick Clarke, from Theresa Villiers MP, Minister for Transport confirms that as long as the station continues to have a positive business case and generates enough revenue to repay its cost then it will be included in the next rail franchises that operate on the London, Cambridge, Ely, Kings Lynn line.  

Work undertaken by the County Council shows that the business case for the station is very strong and so this is the key to ensuring that the County Council can secure back its capital investment and will allow the development of the station proposals to proceed.  

On this basis Council bosses are willing to push ahead now with investment to bring the station forward as soon as possible. Detailed proposals will now be put to the Council's Cabinet on March 6.

Investment for the station forms part of the County's  budget that will enable early delivery of the station. Construction on site is planned to start in early 2014, with an opening date planned in late 2015.

The station will have three platforms, and will be served by at least four hourly southbound trains (to Cambridge and London) and three hourly northbound trains (to Ely, Kings Lynn and Norwich).

The Busway will be extended into the site from Milton Road, providing an interchange for frequent onward services to St Ives and Huntingdon, and for local bus services. Pedestrian and cycle routes to the station will be provided to the site from the Science Park and the surrounding area, and a car park and a large cycle park will also be provided.

The station will provide a huge boost for the local economy, and will kick start development and the creation of jobs by significantly improving accessibility and journey times. The much improved links to London for high-tech companies based in the north Cambridge/Science Park area will make this an even more attractive place for businesses to grow and locate. 

With the planned links to the Busway this will also provide rapid journey times to and from the planned new town of Northstowe, and create an economic growth corridor between Cambridge and Huntingdon and the enterprise zone at Alconbury.

It will also bring significant benefits for local residents in north Cambridge and to the wider community. as around 80% of vehicles currently using Cambridge station emanate from north of the city, the new station will also intercept these journeys and help to reduce congestion in and around the city centre and so bring benefits for all.  

Development of the current proposals has been led by the County Council but with strong support from Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Network Rail, the Department for Transport and from local MPs, in particular Julian Huppert, Andrew Lansley and Stephen Barclay.

Councillor Nick Clarke, Leader of the Council said: "I am delighted with the progress that has been made and the positive view that has been taken by Theresa Villiers MP, Minister of State for Transport.

"The support of the Local MPs and the City and District Councils has been invaluable in enabling us to make the case for the station and highlight the massive economic benefits it will bring for Cambridgeshire and the wider region. I am now putting the funding in place to deliver the station, and while there is still a lot to do, we are committed to do all we can to make it happen.

"Our initial work in partnership with Network Rail has been excellent, and gives me real confidence that we will between us be able deliver a really great new station and transport interchange, which says loud and clear that Cambridge and Cambridgeshire is really open for business."

Theresa Villiers MP, Minister for State for Transport has confirmed that, subject to the final agreement of a number of technical points, the station will be included as a timetable commitment in the new rail franchises for Thameslink and Greater Anglia services. The cost of the station will be repaid from ticket and parking revenues.

She said: "We welcome Councils looking at innovative ways of bringing transport improvements to their local area and look forward to working with Cambridgeshire County Council on moving this project forward."

Ray Manning, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "A number of councils and MPs have been campaigning hard for a railway station at Chesterton for some time, and it is a great boost for our residents and businesses that plans now look set to now become a reality.

"This link will make it easier than ever for people in South Cambridgeshire to get in and out of London and will only make our district even more attractive for organisations looking to find an area to call home."

Dave Ward, Network Rail route managing director, said: "Demand for rail travel in and around Cambridge continues to grow and our ongoing investment in the area is designed to cater for that growth.  We look

forward to working with the county council on this project which will be real boost to rail services in Cambridgeshire and deliver long-lasting benefits for people in the area. This is a great example of a growing local economy enabling investment in the rail network."

"The news today that Chesterton Station is another step closer to reality is great news for our economy. Not only will it provide a direct public transport link to Cambridge Business Park and Science Park, it will connect to the Busway making journeys to the proposed new town of Northstowe and the Enterprise Zone at Alconbury quicker and easier.

Neville Reyner CBE DL, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership, said: "The new station will also enable companies located to the north of Cambridge and beyond, including our world leading technology cluster, to have a faster and more direct journey into London and beyond. In addition to this, the development itself will create new jobs and new opportunities."

Consultation on the scheme will be undertaken later this year. Further consultation through the planning process will be undertaken in 2013.

Learning disability day services in Cambridgeshire set to change

Plans to transform the future of Learning Disability Day Services in Cambridgeshire have been announced.

Following consultation with the people that use the existing service, plans have been developed that will provide an opportunity to transform the service whilst restructuring management and making back office savings.

Over the coming months, the users of the learning disability day service will see a number of improvements of a range of services and support to enable choice and flexibility according to individuals needs.  For example, providing access to work opportunities - something which users said was a priority for them.

Other improvements include modernising buildings and making special adaptations to meet the needs of the people who use them.

Local; County Councillor John Reynolds, said "Feedback identified a need for changes to make the current service more suitable to individual need. This means improvements to make sure we can respond to current and future needs of our service users –putting them at the heart of the service.

"The changes proposed will see better use of buildings, also allowing centres to be used as community resources. The transformation of day services will maximise individuals potential, whilst improving their access and integration with their local community.

"Our priority for our service is to keep people safe, supporting and protecting them when they need it most and ensuring that those with particularly high support needs are not put at risk but are given better opportunities and greater control, helping them to live independent and healthy lives in their communities."

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

 Contact Cambridgeshire County Council


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