Devolution key to plans for Cambridgeshire improvement
DEVOLUTION in Cambridgeshire could accelerate plans to improve railways in the area including upgrading Ely North Junction, reinstating double track through Soham and re-opening the MarchWisbech line.
Government is to devolve a range of funding, powers and responsibilities to the seven local authorities covering Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). In return for this devolution deal a Combined Authority will be established with a directly-elected Mayor in place by May. The Mayor and Combined Authority will take responsibility for a devolved and consolidated multi-year local transport budget for the area.
Part of the plans include providing “world class connectivity and transport systems, fit for the 21st century”.
Plans are also in place to work with local areas’ ambitions for new housing settlements, including one in Fenland based on garden town principles that is aligned with improved road (A47) connectivity as well as, potentially, the new Wisbech-Cambridge line that is mothballed north of March ( RAIL 821).
It also wants to create a parkway station for Peterborough at Whittlesea and improve the Great Northern part of the Govia Thameslink Railway concession.
The devolution document states that “better connecting the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has the potential to reduce city pressures and give the Cambridge hub access to wider areas of housing growth.”
The area plans to work with local partners to consider how best to establish a Sub-National Transport Body (STB) that will enable neighbour counties to work together to influence strategic national transport investment.
This includes making the case for East West Rail, re-opening Soham station, double-tracking the railway through Soham, reinstating Newmarket Curve and working with Government, stakeholders and Network Rail regarding the upgrade of Ely North Junction.
The plans follow the establishment of STBs in other parts of the country, with Transport for the North and Midlands Connect highlighted.
As part of the deal, the Combined Authority will look to adopt an integrated approach to local buses, community transport and cycling in partnership with rail operators and NR. It will also look to develop smart ticketing.