Blog Archives

Punctuality on Greater Anglia's Norwich - London Trains

23/2/2018

New figures show that rail passengers in East Anglia have seen the punctuality of some train services improve more than anywhere else in the UK.

Greater Anglia’s Norwich – London Intercity services showed a 5.8% improvement on the previous year’s figure, making them most improved of all long distance train operators in the UK. This service was also the most reliable in their class for a second year in a row, going 56,312 miles without developing faults.

Full news press release can be found here

Active Travel is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Reduce Transport Emissions

23/2/2018

Recent figures indicate transport causes more greenhouse gas pollution than any other sector in the UK, contributing to 26% of emissions. The transport sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants now make it one of the most polluting sectors in the UK. Air pollution is a growing public health crisis in the UK, causing many major health problems.

Active transport is the most cost-effective way to increase physical activity, reduce ill health and cut down emissions from road transport. For example, in 2017, Transport for London estimated that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, the NHS would save £1.7 billion in treatment costs over the next 25 years. However, according to the Royal College of Physicians, current investment in active transport represents only a tiny fraction of the £32 billion spent on transport annually. As of 2017, average UK-wide public spending on walking and cycling is £287 million per year (£4.30 per head). Employers can all help to promote active transport by encouraging people to walk and cycle more.

For more information, see here

Chisholm Trail - Construction Works Begin This Month

23/2/2018

Construction works on the Abbey Chesterton Bridge, a County Council scheme, which extends the route over the river Cam linking Cambridge North station, is planned to start in conjunction with the Chisholm Trail in spring. However, the preparatory works started early this month conducted by Anglia Tree Contractors and Landscaping, a subcontractor of Skanska on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Partnership. This work will be taking place along the former Mildenhall railway line and either side of the river Cam where the new bridge lands.

The Abbey Chesterton Bridge over the River Cam will improve access for many in the east of the city travelling towards the Science Park and beyond, via excellent transport links with Cambridge North Station and the guided Busway.

For more information see here

Charging An Electric Car - Everything you need to know

23/2/2018

It is estimated that, one million of us could be driving electric cars within the next four years.

It typically takes around 8 hours to charge an electric vehicle (EV) using a three-pin domestic plug socket. For faster charging, a professional can install a home charging point. This would normally cost around £1,000, but there’s currently a £500 government grant available for EV drivers. This can reduce charging times by up to 50% (a fully charged EV car in 4 hours).

There’s a network of more than 14,000 chargers at around 5,000 different locations around the UK, with the number of fast and rapid chargers growing quickly. Rapid chargers are usually found at motorway service stations. They can top an electric car up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes. They do cost, though, with Ecotricity (the firm that owns UK’s rapid charging network) implementing a £3 connection charge, plus 17p per unit of electricity used.

Alternatively, there are a number of slower public chargers available to use for free and can charge an electric car in a couple of hours. These include more than 7,000 fast chargers, often found in shopping centres and supermarket car parks.

For £7.85 a month a Polar Plus card from Chargemaster, this gives you access to more than 6,000 charging points across the UK. This live map shows you where you could use the card – including live information – and then all you have to do is swipe the card and plug in.

Two EV charging points are available on the Science Park for employees and visitors.

For more information about this article, see here