Two Cambridge transport projects paused

They include plans to build a travel hub at Foxton and cut congestion around the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Concerns had been raised previously about pausing the Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) scheme in particular.

The CSET project aims to offer better public transport and active travel options for the A1307 and A1301 area, with the hope of improving journey times and linking people to jobs in the south east of the city.

The GCP had said the plans were ready for a Transport Works Act Order to be submitted to ask for permission to build the scheme, but instead it has been paused until further funding can be found.

The Partnership said recent inflation and the impact this has had on the cost of construction meant its forecast expenditure on approved projects increased by over £200million.

While the GCP’s expected income has also increased, the gap between its forecast income and its estimated expenditure is still £278million.

At a meeting of the GCP board this week, Andy Williams, a business representative, said he was “particularly perturbed” by the GCP “abandoning” the CSET scheme.

He highlighted the investment and jobs in the science parks planned to be linked by the CSET scheme, and said members should not underestimate the impact pausing the scheme.

Councillor Brian Milnes said the GCP was in a situation where inflation was “eating away” at the money it was provided by the government.

Councillor Elisa Meschini, the chair of the board, said the priority now is supporting the work that has been done so far, and ensuring projects that have relevant funding are actually carried out.