Understand
Cambridge to Waterbeach busway plans approved by council
Overview
Cambridgeshire County Council has approved the Waterbeach to Cambridge Transport Scheme, a new busway designed to link a planned development of 11,000 homes with Milton Park and Ride and the existing Cambridge to St Ives guided busway. The project will now proceed to a Transport and Works Order application, drawing mixed reactions regarding its ability to reduce traffic and emissions versus concerns over congestion upon entering Cambridge.
Key points
- Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to progress the Waterbeach to Cambridge Transport Scheme.
- The busway will link a new travel hub at Waterbeach, featuring 1,600 park-and-ride spaces, with Milton Park and Ride and the existing Cambridge-to-St Ives guided busway.
- The project supports a planned development of 11,000 new homes at the Waterbeach New Town site on former barracks and airfields.
- Supporters argue the scheme will provide an alternative to traffic, lower car use, and reduce emissions.
- Critics raised concerns that the buses will still encounter standard rush-hour congestion once they merge onto city centre roads in Cambridge.
- The project will be submitted for a Transport and Works Order to enable construction and maintenance.