CAMPAIGN GROUP MAKES CASE IN BID TO AVOID DRIVING A BUS THROUGH COTON ORCHARD

War of words at inquiry over alternatives to off-road busway plans

- By HANNAH BROWN Local democracy reporter

NOT enough has been done to consider an alternative to the proposed off-road busway near Coton, campaigners have argued.

Representatives of the Coton Busway Action Group (CBAG) made their case at the public inquiry being held to consider the project to build the Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) Busway.

Dr Marilyn Treacy, from CBAG, argued an alternative on-road route had not been properly considered.

However, the legal representative for Cambridgeshire County Council claimed alternatives had been looked at, and accused the action group of wanting them to consider a "below standard" design.

The project to build the C2C Busway was put together by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). The scheme proposes building a dedicated guided busway, with a pathway alongside it for pedestrians and cyclists to use, with a travel hub at Scotland Farm in Dry Drayton.

The planned busway route goes from Cambourne to Cambridge, via the new Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton and the West Cambridge site.

The county council submitted an application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the Department for Transport, to ask for permission to build the new busway.