Cambridge Busway Plans Advance Amid Opposition

Plans for a new off-road busway in south Cambridge are moving forward despite significant public opposition, including a petition signed by nearly 7,000 individuals, citing environmental concerns and potential harm to local tranquility. The Cambridgeshire County Council is set to apply for a Transport and Works Act Order to authorize the construction as part of the Cambridge South East Transport Scheme, aimed at improving connectivity to the Biomedical Campus and other areas. Meanwhile, in Bristol, local councillors are expressing concerns over proposed bus lanes on the A4018, claiming they could lead to increased congestion and pollution. The electric shuttle bus planned for Waterford's North Quays development has been scrapped due to changes in development funding and usage justifications, disappointing local councillors who viewed it as crucial for sustainable transport. The Greater Cambridge Partnership, which paused the busway project last year due to funding issues, has now received £7.2 million from the government to progress it again, but critics argue that it will disrupt the countryside. Councillors continue to debate the merits and drawbacks of these transportation projects across various regions, highlighting the tension between development and environmental preservation.