Residents are being asked for their views on how to manage and reduce the Waterbeach to Cambridge transport scheme’s impacts on the environment.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has launched a public consultation on the scheme, which includes a new busway, walking and cycling path, and travel hub.
Cllr Elisa Meschini, chair of the GCP’s executive board, said: “With thousands of new homes being built at Waterbeach New Town, it is vital we deliver better transport infrastructure to give people choice in how they travel to Cambridge.
“This scheme will connect people to the city, key employment sites and colleges in the north of Cambridge, and the St Ives busway helping people travel quickly and easily to work, school and leisure.
“While we have already agreed the route following previous public consultations, we would like to hear your views on how to best manage and reduce the scheme's impacts on the environment. We want to ensure it is a project we can all be proud of.”
The GCP’s board agreed in September to take forward the revised central route, which serves Landbeach, and site option C for the travel hub to the west of the new town of Waterbeach. These decisions were taken following two public consultations between 2020 and 2023.
A petition was launched by the Cambridge Independent and signed by almost 1,700 people in support of the villagers in Waterbeach after it was discovered that three of the four initially proposed routes would go directly through a small group of historic cottages on the edge of the village.
Feedback from this latest consultation will feed into an Environmental Impact Assessment and the environmental statement. This is required as part of a portfolio of evidence submitted to the Department for Transport in the application to build a scheme. It includes information from surveys looking at ecology, landscape and cultural heritage, along with feedback from stakeholders.
Three public events will be held:
\- Online – 13 June at 6.30-7.30pm. Registration is required.
\- Landbeach Village Hall – 19 June at 5-7.30pm.
\- Waterbeach Baptist Church – 25 June at 4.30-7pm.
Visit greatercambridge.org.uk/ waterbeach-cambridge-eia to view the consultation, have your say and register for the online meeting. The consultation is open now and closes at midday on 15 July.
