East Cambridgeshire District Council have recently launched a six-week consultation for residents to highlight improvements to bus services, cycling and walking routes that they would like to see in East Cambridgeshire.
As part of my own work on local bus services I have already fed into this consultation suggestions which have been made to me over recent months from constituents and other stakeholders for improvements to local bus services.
Proper bus connectivity can generate economic growth for our cities, towns and regions and it is a vital part of helping us travel to work, school and for leisure activities. Locally, the Mayor has recently published a Strategic Bus Review, developed with engagement from many groups and stakeholders across the Combined Authority and identifies a range of interventions and opportunities that the Combined Authority could consider as part of its aspiration to enhance bus service provision across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including the possibility of bus franchising, as well as a strategic partnership with private operators. The District Council consultation will shape their input into the Strategic Bus Review.
On a national scale, the Government has recently announced an investment of £5 billion to boost bus and cycle links for every region outside London over five years. This will form part of a National Bus Strategy, and I understand that details will be announced at the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review later this year. In the meantime, I welcome the Government’s £220 million package to overhaul bus services across England and that a further £30 million of funding has been confirmed for 2020-21.
Have your say on this important consultation by visiting this link: https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/roads-transport/bus-services-and-cycling-and-walking-routes-consultation?fbclid=IwAR2h1s2mpIS7-ZnDLACbYEcuIWO9vCI3oHJBUINmgnU6UNI49Ty3zlS9mwY
