By Anthony Browne MP
I was very glad to welcome Simon and his team to South Cambridgeshire last week and give them a chance to see the things we need East West Rail to appreciate, bringing to life the text of thousands of local responses.
There is a stark difference between a graph on a screen and the sight of a ten-meter-high cherry picker seen from the back garden of a concerned resident in Harlton. In the Eversdens we could see how the vast embankment would block off the village on one side. The Great Wall of South Cambridge almost became visible.
I want to thank every councillor who was able to attend for their detailed presentations around the issues in their village. We are now awaiting the results of the most recent consultation, with plans for a second ‘statutory’ consultation in early 2021 before any final decision is made for South Cambs section.
“In the meantime, my asks have not changed. We need clarity on all routes and a fair chance to comment on each one in relation to any others. Our communities must not be separated by any route, and all roads must serve the same villages they do now. The route should be electrified, with clear information and rules on freight travel. The embankment, a profound and unnecessary eyesore which only exacerbates the impact of the line, needs to be brought back down to earth.