Transport in Cambridge#Greater Cambridge Partnership

{{short description|Overview of the transport in Cambridge}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

File:cmglee Cambridge LMB train.jpg Class 170 train to Stansted Airport passing behind the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, viewed from the Busway bridge.]]

Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about {{convert|50|mi|0}} north of London. Its main transport links are the M11 road to London, the A14 east–west road and the West Anglia Main Line railway to London.

Buses

Cambridge has several bus services including routes linking five Park and Ride sites all of which operate seven days a week and are aimed at encouraging motorists to park near the city's edge.{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/parkandride |title=Park & Ride |accessdate=14 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308123636/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/parkandride |archivedate=8 March 2013 }} Cambridge park-and-ride Since 7 August 2011, the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway has bus services running into the centre of Cambridge.

Most buses run to and from the bus station located on Drummer Street in the heart of the city, although there are significant interchanges at the railway station and at Addenbrooke's Hospital. The principal operator is Stagecoach.

On 30 October 2022, Stagecoach cancelled 18 Cambridgeshire bus routes due to "significant falls in passenger numbers". Stagecoach has received a lot of backlash for this decision, including from the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson.{{cite web |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2022-09-20/bus-company-slammed-over-unacceptable-cuts-to-services |title=Mayor slams 'unacceptable' cuts as Stagecoach reveals plans to axe 18 Cambridgeshire bus routes |website=www.itv.com |access-date=7 October 2022}}

=The Busway=

{{Main|Cambridgeshire Guided Busway}}

File:Joining the guided busway - geograph.org.uk - 2543907.jpg

Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is the world's longest guided busway and passes through Cambridge.{{cite web |url=http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/db/pressrel.nsf/cac74a2aba838b5d80256b56004e53ab/edcbd21f6a9cf5b880257295004c237b?OpenDocument |title=Secretary of State Celebrates Start of Works on Guided Busway |accessdate=6 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606040816/http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/db/pressrel.nsf/cac74a2aba838b5d80256b56004e53ab/edcbd21f6a9cf5b880257295004c237b?OpenDocument |archivedate=6 June 2009 }} Secretary of State Celebrates Start of Works on Guided Busway The designated route runs on normal road from Huntingdon to St Ives, then via a bus-only guided section along the former Cambridge-St Ives railway south-east into Cambridge, where it rejoins the road at either Milton Road or Histon Road and then continues to Cambridge railway station on normal roads. From there it is again guided to Addenbrooke's Hospital and Trumpington Park and Ride.{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/guided/ |title=Guided Busway home page |accessdate=6 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416144840/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/guided/ |archivedate=16 April 2009 }} Cambridgeshire Guided Busway An additional short spur, to Cambridge North railway station, opened in 2017.

The scheme, budgeted at £116.2 million, had been scheduled to open in early 2009{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/40F67C0E-CB57-4327-A7BE-440650E8B822/0/CGBleafletweb.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=6 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528012536/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/40F67C0E-CB57-4327-A7BE-440650E8B822/0/CGBleafletweb.pdf |archivedate=28 May 2008 }} Guided Busway leaflet but did not open until August 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=380357|title=Guided bus launch delayed until end of summer|first=Rachel|last=Extance|accessdate=25 February 2009|newspaper=Cambridge Evening News|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526034133/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/displayarticle.asp?id=380357|archivedate=26 May 2009}} The scheme had been heavily criticised by campaigners who believed that the route would be better served by restoring the previous railway route.{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_royston/displayarticle.asp?id=210053|title=Campaigners still hope to stop the guided bus|newspaper=Cambridge Evening News|date=25 August 2006|accessdate=29 October 2008}}

=Cambridge Park & Ride=

File:Park and Ride Babraham bus.jpg Park & Ride Enviro 400]]

The city is served by a seven days a week park and ride service run by Cambridgeshire County Council and Stagecoach.{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info|title=Cambridge Park and Ride}} Five sites on the outskirts of the city or just outside its boundaries – at Babraham Road, Madingley Road, Milton, Newmarket Road and Trumpington – provide over 4,500 parking spaces, electric car charging and other facilities.{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info/babrahamroad.shtml|title=Babraham Road Park and Ride}}{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info/madingleyroad.shtml|title=Madingley Road Park and Ride}}{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info/milton.shtml|title=Milton Park and Ride}}{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info/newmarketroad.shtml|title=Newmarket Road Park and Ride}}{{cite web|url=http://cambridgeparkandride.info/trumpington.shtml|title=Trumpington Road Park and Ride}} Buses run from these sites into the city centre up to every 7 minutes.

Roads

Because of its rapid growth in the 20th century, Cambridge has a congested road network.{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgefutures.org/futures2/report1.htm |title=Cambridge Futures 2 - Report |accessdate=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130191440/http://www.cambridgefutures.org/futures2/report1.htm |archivedate=30 January 2013 }} Several major roads intersect at Cambridge. The M11 motorway from North-East London terminates to the north-west of the city where it joins the A14. Skirting the northern edge of Cambridge, the A14 is a major freight route which connects the port of Felixstowe on the east coast with the Midlands, North Wales, the west coast and Ireland. The A14 was often congested, particularly the section between Huntingdon and Cambridge that used to only have 2 lanes. However, the A14 upgrade scheme has attempted to address the problem, with this section now upgraded to 3 lanes in each direction, and dual 4 lanes at the Girton interchange. Cambridge is situated on the A10, a former Roman road from north London to Ely and King's Lynn. The A428 connects the city with Bedford and St Neots, and the A1303 to Newmarket and beyond to Colchester.

Some roads around the city have been designated as forming a ring road about a mile and a half in diameter, inside which there are traffic restrictions.

There are five council car parks in the city centre. There are limited numbers of metered bays offering parking for up to 1–8 hours across the city{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/lape/parking-meters-map.en|title=Paring Meters Map|publisher=Cambridge City Council|accessdate=13 December 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924073347/http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/lape/parking-meters-map.en|archivedate=24 September 2009}}

=Cycling=

Image:Cambridge CMS Bicycle Racks.jpg

As a university town lying on fairly flat ground and with traffic congestion, Cambridge has a large number of cyclists. Many residents also prefer cycling to driving in the narrow, busy streets, giving the city the highest level of cycle use in the UK.http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes.asp?term=KS15&btnSubmit=Search UK Census 2001 According to the 2001 census, 25% of residents travelled to work by bicycle. A few roads within the city are adapted for cycling, including separate traffic lights for cycle lanes and cycle contraflows on streets which are otherwise one-way; the city also benefits from parks which have shared use paths. There are, however, no separate cycle paths within the city centre. Despite the high levels of cycling, expenditure on cycling infrastructure is around the national average of 0.3% of the transport budget. There are a few cycle routes in the surrounding countryside and the city is now linked to the National Cycle Network. The main organisation campaigning to improve conditions for cyclists in Cambridge is the Cambridge Cycling Campaign.[http://www.camcycle.org.uk Cambridge Cycling Campaign] The city was chosen as a Cycling Town by the Department for Transport in 2008, with central government funding an expansion of cycling facilities in the city and its surrounding villages.{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/cycling-cities-towns/|title=Cycling City, Cycling Towns|publisher=Cycling England|accessdate=13 October 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519000604/http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/cycling-cities-towns/|archivedate=19 May 2009}} There was a 5% increase in cycling from 2013 to 2014 – an increase of 88% since 2004.{{cite news|title=Massive wave of cycling as tide of motorists in Cambridge held back|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Massive-surge-cycling-tide-motorists-Cambridge/story-28169767-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 November 2015|newspaper=Cambridge News|date=16 November 2015}}

Bike theft in the city is a problem, with over 3000 bicycles reported stolen between April 2005 and March 2006. The actual number is believed to be higher as many thefts are not reported to the police.{{cite news|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2006/07/27/96b0e699-f005-43ca-91fa-1a19a9f6765c.lpf|newspaper=Cambridge Evening News|title=Raids 'shockwave' for bicycle theft gangs|date=27 July 2006}}

Rail

File:Cambridgerailstation.jpg]]

Cambridge currently has two railway stations. Cambridge railway station was built in 1845 with a platform designed to take two full-length trains, the third longest in the country. Cambridge North railway station is located in the suburb of Chesterton, close to Cambridge Science Park, and opened in May 2017. Both stations are run by Greater Anglia.

Cambridge has direct rail links to London with termini at {{stnlnk|London King's Cross}} (on the Hitchin-Cambridge Line and the East Coast Main Line) and {{stnlnk|Liverpool Street}} (on the West Anglia Main Line). There is a direct shuttle service to King's Cross every half-hour during off peak hours.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=Timetables|title=First Capital Connect Train Timetables|accessdate=10 February 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212142802/http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/Main.php?sEvent=Timetables|archivedate=12 February 2009}} Peak hour trains to King's Cross have additional stops. Future developments for the Cambridge to London line include the provision of {{convert|125|mph|0}} high speed trains.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=390282|title=125mph trains to cut Cambridge times|accessdate=12 February 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526022328/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=390282|archivedate=26 May 2009}} The line is currently graded for {{convert|100|mph|0}}{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}. The line is all welded rail, but because of the flat geography there are many level crossings, and they make it harder to run at higher speeds.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}

Aside from London, Cambridge is linked by rail to {{stnlnk|King's Lynn}} and {{stnlnk|Ely}} (via the Fen Line), {{stnlnk|Norwich}} (via the Breckland Line), {{stnlnk|Leicester}}, Birmingham New Street, {{stnlnk|Ipswich}} and Stansted Airport. The important UK rail hub of {{stnlnk|Peterborough}} is also less than an hour from Cambridge, which provides direct connections to Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley.

= Proposed developments =

== Cambridge South ==

{{Main|Cambridge South railway station}}

{{rws|Cambridge South}}, adjacent to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, will be Cambridge's third station, and is planned to open in late 2025.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 March 2020 |title=Government announce funding for Cambridge South station |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/amp/government-announce-funding-for-cambridge-south-station-9102318/ |access-date= |website=}}File:37051 - cambridge - may 1978.jpg at Cambridge on the diamond crossing under British Rail.]]

== East West Rail ==

{{Main|East West Rail}}

The railway service connecting Cambridge and Oxford, known as the Varsity Line, ceased in 1968. The East West Rail proposal plans to reinstate a direct rail route to Oxford, possibly by 2030.{{cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/chancellor-accepts-east-west-rail-targets-and-strengthens-plans-with-extra-cash|title=Chancellor accepts East West Rail targets and strengthens plans with extra cash|website=www.railtechnologymagazine.com}}[http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/2017/12/14/transport-secretary-officially-launches-east-west-railway-company-bletchley-park/ Transport Secretary officially launches East West Railway Company at Bletchley Park] East West Rail, 22 November 2017

Air

The nearest passenger services are from London Stansted Airport at {{convert|28|mi|0}} and London Luton Airport at {{convert|32|mi|0}}, Birmingham Airport at {{convert|91|mi|0}}, London Gatwick Airport at {{convert|93|mi|0}} and London Heathrow Airport at {{convert|70|mi|0}} all being about 90 minutes' travel, and the smaller London City Airport at {{convert|57|mi|0}} approximately 75 minutes' travel.

The city's own airport is Cambridge Airport (formerly Marshall Airport Cambridge UK and originally Teversham Aerodrome) and is owned by Marshall Aerospace. There are no scheduled passenger services, though the runway can accommodate an unladen Boeing 747 or MD-11 and ScotAirways used to make scheduled flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The airport is used mainly by business, leisure and training flights, and to fly in aircraft for maintenance.{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridgecityairport.com/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=14 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211170657/http://www.cambridgecityairport.com/ |archivedate=11 December 2009 }} "Cambridge Airport"http://www.masfcambridge.com/ "Cambridge Flying Club"http://www.cambridgeaeroclub.co.uk/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211051716/http://www.cambridgeaeroclub.co.uk/ |date=11 December 2008 }}"Cambridge Aero Club" In 2004 a charter service to Jersey was operated and flights to other European destinations such as Gothenburg were operated on either a scheduled or charter basis. At the end of January 2016 all scheduled and charter flights from the airport were halted due to a lack of passenger numbers.[http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge-Airport-axes-flights/story-28284945-detail/story.html Cambridge Airport axes charter and scheduled passenger flights], Cambridge News, 2 December 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.

A dealer in fibreglass-moulded light monoplanes is also based at the airport.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} The airport and nearby land have been marked for re-development, with approximately 10,000 to 12,000 new homes to be built.{{cite web |title=Cambridge East Area Action Plan |url=https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/cambridge-east-area-action-plan |website=Cambridge City Council |language=en}}

{{wide image|cmglee_Cambridge_Airport_panorama.jpg|1000px|Panorama of Cambridge Airport from the south in July 2013}}

{{Cambridge Metro}}

Past developments

{{Infobox Future Infrastructure Project

|property_name = Project Cambridge

|location = Cambridge

|proposer = Cambridgeshire County Council

|official website =

|status = proposed

|type = multi-modal

|estimated cost = £25 million

|planned start =

|planned finish =

|image_name = Projectcambridge_developments.png

|image_size = 250px

|caption = Project Cambridge developments.

|osm_id =

|supporters =

|stakeholders =

|opponents =

|geometry =

}}

Several developments to the transport system in Cambridge have been proposed by Cambridgeshire County Council.

= The Holford-Wright Report =

In 1950, a city plan for Cambridge was published. Chaired by Sir William Holford, an eminent architect and planner, it proposed a set of changes with a relief road for the centre of Cambridge, which would have destroyed terraced housing and other areas. These plans were, however, never implemented.{{Cite web |title=The Cambridge Phenomenon |url=http://www.iankitching.me.uk/history/cam/phenomenon.html}}

{{clear}}

= Project Cambridge =

In 2009 the County Council revealed its plans to spend £25 million on renovating the area from Regent Street to the Cherry Hinton Road Junction, entitled Project Cambridge. The scheme is composed of many smaller projects with common themes of making junctions easier for pedestrians to cross, promoting cycle use and reducing traffic.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2009/1006enviro/07_1.pdf|title=Project Cambridge|publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council|date=September 2009|accessdate=21 October 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222014758/http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/councillors/agenda/2009/1006enviro/07_1.pdf|archivedate=22 February 2012}} The scheme is to be funded through tax increment financing where the money would initially be borrowed and would be repaid over 25 years from increases in business tax revenue. The scheme was due to be discussed by councillors in October 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=452393|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730214127/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=452393|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 July 2012|title=£25m city scheme for cyclists and pedestrians|work=Cambridge Evening News|accessdate=12 January 2010}}

= Cambridge Gateway =

The area around Cambridge railway station, was extensively redeveloped between 2010 and 2022. The station capacity was increased to match usage, and the surrounding industrial area and office blocks were replaced with flats, offices, student accommodation, 3000-space cycle park, a hotel and shops.

{{cite web |title=Cambridge Gateway and Hills Road Safety Scheme |url=http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/cambridge/cambridgegateway/Project+details.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009022014/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/cambridge/cambridgegateway/Project+details.htm |archive-date=9 October 2010 |accessdate=13 August 2009}}

Local Transport Today, Issue 557, page 0 at an estimated cost of £3.1 million. The redevelopment of the Cambridge Station area has been given the green light and has been awarded £1.5 million of central government money to help pay for the scheme. The Hills Road Bridge safety scheme is still included in the project.

= Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro =

{{Main|Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro}}

Greater Cambridge Partnership

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) is a local delivery body for a City Deal with central government created in 2014, envisaging an investment of £500 million, mainly transport investment, over 15 years to create growth in the greater Cambridge area.{{Cite web |last=Hatton |first=Benjamin |date=2021-02-17 |title=Cambridge transport network could be transformed by 2030 |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/how-cambridge-transport-network-could-19858332 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=CambridgeshireLive |language=en}} Its four partners are Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and the University of Cambridge.{{Cite web |title=About GCP |url=http://live.gcpmock.cambscc.contensis.cloud/about/about-gcp |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Greater Cambridge Partnership |language=en}}

In February 2022, the joint assembly of the Greater Cambridge Partnership considered ideas towards shifting away from car use.{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Gemma |date=18 February 2022 |title=Biggest shake-up of Cambridge road network for 40 years |work=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/biggest-shake-up-of-cambridge-road-network-for-40-years-9240903/ |access-date=28 August 2022}}

In August 2022, the Greater Cambridge Partnership proposed plans for a Cambridge Sustainable Travel Zone based on a £5 congestion charge for cars and some other vehicles, coupled with £1 bus fares for single journeys to encourage use of buses.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=27 August 2022 |title=Greater Cambridge Partnership sets out plans for £5 road user charge and bus network shake-up with £1 fares |work=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/greater-cambridge-partnership-sets-out-plans-for-5-congesti-9271161/ |access-date=28 August 2022}}{{cite web |title=Making Connections 2022 Project Summary |url=https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/sustainable-transport-programme/city-access-programme/making-connections |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221208232203/https://www.greatercambridge.org.uk/sustainable-transport-programme/city-access-programme/making-connections |archive-date=8 December 2022 |access-date=8 December 2022}}

A consultation on proposals for the Sustainable Travel Zone ended in December 2022.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-21 |title=Cambridge congestion charge: Will it cut queues and pollution? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64041628 |access-date=2022-12-27}}{{Cite news |last=Sleator |first=Laurence |date=23 December 2022 |title=Cambridge students clash with locals over congestion charge |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/cambridge-students-clash-with-locals-over-congestion-charge-lr580q73f |access-date=2022-12-27 |issn=}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport in Cambridge}}