A new report prepared by consultants Mott Macdonald recommends a £500 million transport upgrade for travel between Ely and Cambridge - including dualling of the A10.

The study highlights a range of transport improvements that are needed to ease congestion and bring forward tens of thousands of new jobs and homes right along the route and beyond.

The A10 north is a key transport route for economic growth in the region, linking Ely, and other towns and villages to the north, with the city and wider transport network.

The study looked at current transport challenges and future opportunities to support growth. Key recommendations include:

• Dualling or part dualling of the A10 between Ely and Cambridge.
• A new Park & Ride north of Waterbeach.
• Relocation and expansion of Waterbeach Railway Station.
• A new segregated public transport route between Waterbeach and Cambridge, together with new cycling and walking facilities.
  

  
Full copy of the report is available here.

An extensive survey of residents, commuters and businesses has shown rising public support for hard-hitting measures to tackle congestion in Cambridge. People responding to the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP’s) ‘Big Conversation’ said they would be willing to get out of their cars – but only with significant investment up front in a fit-for-purpose public transport network.

The GCP is currently analysing more than 10,000 responses generated during its call for public feedback on the Greater Cambridge growth story – how it affects them and what future investment might help them. The interim findings show that:

• More people are now commuting by car/van in and around the city since 2011 – from 32% in 2011 to 37% in 2017 for Cambridge residents, and an even bigger jump, from 64% to 75%, for people travelling from South Cambridgeshire – with the vast majority travelling for work purposes and during peak hours.
• Traffic congestion is ranked the biggest transport challenge (64.6%) – with lack of adequate and reliable public transport key issues (both 42%).
• There is public appetite and opportunity to get out of the car and onto other forms of transport – with over half (56%) of regular car users saying they would be willing to travel by alternate means – with speed and reliability the top incentives.

Top five on the public’s wish list are (in order): the introduction of new public transport routes; improving reliability of public transport; making public transport cheaper; improving the frequency on public transport; and introducing free parking at Park & Ride – the Partnership has recently agreed to jointly fund, with Cambridgeshire County Council, removal of the £1 charge later this year.

The surveys found support for the principles of the Partnership’s transport strategy – improving public transport, cycling and walking journeys, managing down general traffic in the city, and encouraging a switch from car to other modes through the introduction of a series of ‘carrots and sticks’.

For more information, please click here.

Annual travel to work data has been analysed and an overall report has been produced for the Travel Plan Plus (TP+) area. Summary of the key findings to travel to work survey for the TP+ area in 2017 include: 

• 15 organisations from the TP+ area took part in the survey.
• 2,634 valid responses were received from employees.
• 2017 saw us achieve a participation rate of 37% of the potential TP+ survey population.  
• This year 7 organisations within the TP+ area achieved an excellent response rate of over 50%. 
• 4 TP+ area employers achieved drive alone figures between 32% and 38%. 
• The average distance travelled to work is 20 miles, which is has increased by 3% from 2016 (17 miles).

Full copy of the report is available here.

Network Rail engineers will carry out a £1m package of work to strengthen the six–span Great Catch Drain bridge between Ely and Littleport between 12 – 16 February. During this time there will be no train services between Ely and Kings Lynn. A rail replacement bus service will serve Littleport, Downham Market, Watlington and King’s Lynn, but journey times will be longer.
 
Works involve installing 24 steel plates and a thorough coat of pain that will prevent corrosion. The bridge carries up to 76 passenger and freight trains a day at speeds of up to 60mph and, should the work not be carried out, trains would have to run at a reduced speed over the bridge, which would cause delays and cancellations.
 
The improvements have been planned to take place during the half term week when fewer people travel, and the five day closure allows the work to be done quickly with less disruption for passengers. If the work was to be carried out over a series of weekends, it would take over six months of closures to complete. To make the most of the upcoming blockade, further maintenance work will also take place, including works at level crossings and vegetation clearance.
 
Passengers will be communicated the week commencing 29th January.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Matt Brennan - Public Affairs Manager Matt.Brennan@networkrail.co.uk

The least hassle-free way to travel from home or work to the airport is on a taxi. Panther Taxis are pleased to offer their Executive car service for airport travel to TP+ members until 31st March 2018. Their executive fleet consists of Mercedes E Class, Audi's and BMW's. A journey from the Science Park or the Business Park to London airports ranges from £47.20 to Stanstead with a savings of £6.70 whilst it would cost £122.10 to Gatwick with a savings of £11.30. 

All bookings needs to be emailed to their Corporate Booking Team quoting "Travel Plan Plus" in the subject line in order to benefit from this offer. If you would like more information, please contact info@travelplanplus.org.uk

If you are 50 or over, you can join Club 50 today for big train travel discounts! It’s quick and easy to join and membership costs just £20 for 12 months.
 
Discounts are available on all Off-Peak and Advance fares in Standard or First Class on Greater Anglia and Stansted Express services after 10:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

• Receive 20% savings on Off-Peak and Advance fares online
• Get 10% savings on Off-Peak and Advance fares at the station

Club 50 tickets for Stansted Express services can only be purchased at Greater Anglia’s website or stations, and cannot be purchased at stanstedexpress.com.
 
For more information, please click here.