Transport Commission Findings Questions and Answers
Is there really a need to do anything?
Improving Cambridgeshire's transport is vital for the county and nation. Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge in particular, is an economic driver within the UK and in many ways could help lead the country out of the recession. It is clear from the evidence people gave us that there is a majority of people wanting to see improvements to secure the current and future economic prosperity of Cambridgeshire. The Commission believes Cambridgeshire could lead the country in setting the standard for truly sustainable transport. To do nothing, and let congestion get worse and worse, would be a feeble response to a widely-known problem.
Is there anything Government should do?
The Commission believes the Government should accept a revised TIF bid from Cambridgeshire because of the national importance of the County and self-evident need for transport improvements. The proposed improvements within the TIF bid will only work in tandem with the completion of the improvements and widening of the A14 and the creation of a new rail station at Chesterton. In a country as centrally-run and funded as Britain, the Government must play its part in helping deliver these projects too.
Do you think the TiF bid put forward by the County Council would work?
The evidence put before us was that people were broadly enthusiastic about the package of transport improvements put forward by the County Council. But more is needed or Cambridgeshire risks a threat to its economic and environmental future. The Commission also wants the Council to be clear about the improvements for the surrounding County and not just Cambridge. Although much of the evidence presented to the Commission was about Cambridge, there is a compelling case for improving some public transport services and roads in rural areas. Community transport should also be encouraged for non-car owners.
Is a congestion charge needed?
The Commission recommend Cambridgeshire submit a bid to Government for funds to improve cycling, walking and public transport. It warns that a congestion charge may be needed in the future but no earlier than 2017 and should only be implemented after the £500m TiF improvements are in place and working, and crucially only when congestion reaches a level agreed with the public locally and the Government and where it is widely accepted nothing else will help. The report puts the decision in the hands of the public, business and councils to agree a ‘trigger point' where congestion is so bad that it may be necessary to bring a charge in. However, if people embrace the transport improvements and use them then this point may be pushed back.
Who should set this so called trigger point
This is a debate that should be had between councils, the public and businesses and agreed with Government. This ‘trigger point' can then be used as a basis to negotiate with Government to unlock these much needed funds.
How do you think Congestion Charge should work?
There is no doubt that if a congestion charge were, in the longer term, to be brought in then it should have some exceptions, such as the emergency services and for people with disabilities. The Commission is not persuaded that all residents within the possible charging zone should be exempt. However, the details of what scheme is proposed should not be made by the Commission but would have to be fully developed and then explained carefully to the public, businesses and councils.
What about other ways of funding?
The Commission looked at possible alternative funding schemes and decided that none of these would either work for Cambridgeshire or provide anything like the amount of money needed to pay for these transport improvements.
What about the rural areas?
Because Cambridge is a busy and successful city it has a serious congestion problem. But transport improvements are also needed in more rural parts of the County. Many people will continue to have no other real alternative than to use a car. Road improvements are needed, particularly those involving the A14, though not only there. A single bus a day does not, in the Commission's view, constitute effective public transport.
Do you think people know enough about what is proposed?
The Commission believes that more needs to be done to explain to people exactly what the County Council has proposed. The TIF bid envisaged a massive step change in transport provision and a congestion charge. Although the latter grabbed the headlines, it was only a very small part of it. In fact out of the £500 million only around £18 million was set aside for congestion charging. There is also significant misunderstanding about transport, cycling and road proposals. We would encourage the County Council to explain more about what they propose and engage thoroughly with the community and businesses in taking any improvements forward. People need to be given real world examples of how their journeys might change in future, including timings and costs.
The Commission has also suggested that any new transport systems should be well marketed and simple to use, like the current Cambridge Park and Ride. Not only does this reduce confusion, but makes it easier to use and encourages more people to try it.
What is the partnership proposed?
The Commission also calls for a ‘Partnership for Transport' to be created that would drive forward a clear vision of what transport improvements are needed and help to encourage the public to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport. This partnership should include the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council as well as the County Council. The new body would need to have the power to make decisions and implement change. It shouldn't be just a talking-shop.
Were you truly independent?
The Commission was set up by the County Council but has remained independent of it. The County's members and officers have had no privileged access and no say in the Commission's deliberations or findings. In fairness to the Council members and officers, if anyone does not like the results of the Commission's work, they should blame the commissioners not the Council.