GCP Sustainable Travel Zone proposals are fairer, but could be better

Camcycle welcomes news of progress on the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Sustainable Travel Zone proposals. The GCP has listened to the consultation responses and amended the scheme to be fairer for those who travel in our region and have a dependency on car travel. However, we believe that increased and earlier investment in active travel would make the scheme better. It will also be vital to explore supplementary funding and traffic management schemes to ensure we can achieve a world-class public transport system to give everyone in our region sustainable transport options.

The updated GCP Keeping Greater Cambridge Moving proposals have been released.

We’re now reviewing the details of the proposals with our members to refine our view on the new proposals.

Key amendments the GCP have made to the road charging element of the scheme are:

peak time only charging – with six hours charge time instead of 12
50 free days for car users,
50 per cent discount for locally owned SMEs
low-income discounts
further hospital exemptions
no charge for motorcyclists.

This will enable the delivery of:

Improved infrastructure to make walking, cycling and scooting more attractive and safer
New, cheaper and better bus services
Longer bus service hours
Flat bus fares of £1 or £2 pounds

The proposals will be considered at the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership Joint Assembly and Board meetings on 7 September 28 September.

Camcycle is a founding member of the Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance. The CSTA supports the principle of a Sustainable Travel Zone for Cambridge and believes that the funding and opportunity presented by the Greater Cambridge Partnership offers a unique moment to reshape the city and wider county around the needs of its people.