Today, the Greater Cambridge Partnership released the results of their Making Connections consultation, which sought local opinion on plans to fund bus network improvements and other sustainable travel schemes through a congestion charge. Vehicles would be charged for driving within the zone, which covers the entirety of Cambridge City Centre and Addenbrookes Hospital, between 7am and 7pm on weekdays.
It is clear from the data that there is significant resistance from local people to the proposed charge. 58% of all consultees said that they opposed the charge, including 49% who ‘strongly opposed’.
I have raised my objection to the proposal since it was introduced, and I have outlined several reasons why it would leave my constituents worse off in my consultation submission.
It is vital that the decision makers at the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridgeshire County Council now listen to the local mood when considering the viability of these plans, and I look forward to speaking with the GCP once again in two weeks’ time to ensure that this is the case.
