I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my survey on the greater Cambridge Partnership's Cambridge South East Transport busway scheme (CSET). I received 1,958 responses, which is more than in any of the previous official consultations by the GCP on this proposal and an indication of the strength of feeling about this controversial project.
A full copy of the survey results can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. The key take aways are:
- 81% would definitely not or probably not support the GCP busway
- 58% would definitely or probably support the alternative option using the A1307
- 85% would never or only rarely use the GCP busway
- 71% were already aware of the GCP’s busway proposal, however fewer than half (44%) were aware of the GCP’s previous consultations on CSET and 68% rated the GCP’s level of engagement as poor or very poor
- 69% supported the idea of reopening of the Haverhill to Cambridge railway line as a longer-term alternative to the GCP's busway
These findings support the calls from local campaigners for the GCP to rethink its current plans for CSET, which has a weak business case and will cause massive unnecessary environmental damage. There are better alternatives that will serve the short and long-term transport needs of our area without destroying the precious landscape around the Gog Magog hills and Ninewells.
My team is also working through the thousands of comments received from local people in response to the survey. This is taking a little time and I will report on these as soon as possible.
With this important evidence from the survey, I will continue to push the GCP to abandon its busway plan and work together with local people to deliver a transport solution that represents good value for money and doesn't cost the earth.