Alan Francis - Green Party Transport Spokesperson
Rapid Transit Systems - Guided Bus Cambridge to Huntingdon via St Ives
The latest train crash is further proof of why level crossings need to be removed as a risk factor in providing public transport.
Underpasses where adequate, overbridges, flyovers or even viaducts (in flood prone areas) are additional costs which County Council has to take into account and provide for.
Undoubtedly influencing decision making - especially regarding the rail line from Cambridge to St Ives and its many level crossings.
The County Council is too committed now to the Guided Bus project to consider any altermatives.
Guided Bus has been sold to the public as the only option available to link Cambridge and Huntingdon via St Ives.
The County Council proposes a guideway, which claims to offer a smoother, faster & safer ride along a purpose built concrete road and offer access to other local routes operators and double-deckers.
The main case against a rail link by the Guided Bus lobby, has been that it would be more expensive £119million by far the most expensive part being the missing section between St Ives & Huntingdon. Yet the buses will not travel or be on any guideway on this section.
County Council also argued that a tram or light rail system would require closing Milton Rd for 20 minutes out of every hour.
Isn't that what the traffic lights at Science Park roundabout and traffic lights at junction with Kings Hedges Road do.
CHUMMS the Cambridge to Huntingdon Multi-modal Study or Cambs County Council application for£60 million Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) government funding, is designed to reduce congestion on the busy A14 corridor, not to lower pollution, or reduce car use.
The Rail Options have not convinced the public, the government, or CCC to view their plans as suitable for government RTS funding, without which neither Guided Bus or the alternatives are economically viable or possible.
A well prepared Tram system proposal should have been a real & viable alternative to Guided Bus, to link Cambridge to Huntingdon via St Ives. This link would overcome Network Rail objections to Guided Bus travelling along the existing disused rail line, and reduce estimated journey times.
Estimated journey time for G- Bus Cambridge to Huntingdon via St Ives is 52 minutes (CCC estimates), whereas the same journey by tram or light rail even with multiple stops would take 30 minutes if the missing rail link between St Ives & Huntingdon were restored. 08/11/04
Jon Quinn - 2004 Green Party Cambridge City Council candidate.
Congestion charges, road use and car sharing
The Green Party supports moves by the government to introduce road user charges nationwide in large metropolitan areas. Congestion charging in London has delivered a 20% reduction in traffic levels, and seen a 14% increase in public transport use during rush-hour.
However it is essential that the revenue raised be spent on introducing a comprehensive package of green alternative transport measures, such as more bus and cycle lanes, home zones and safe routes to school. Measures to encourage car sharing for school runs in more rural areas, and rush-hour traffic into congested zones, need to be supported by safe, fast, frequent and reliable public transport at affordable prices, making the convenience of public transport an attractive option for more users.
TEN YEAR PLAN Transport Targets Brushed Under the Carpet.
The government's ten year plan on transport, issued just four years ago, contained vital targets for road-traffic congestion reduction and increased numbers of rail passengers, which have not even been remotely met.
There are countless reasons for the government to aim to slash UK car usage, not least the £15 billion in hidden environmental, health and pollution costs that road transport imposes on society each year. To achieve this goal, they need a complete re-assessment of their road-orientated transport policy, not to simply water down their targets.