INFRASTRUCTURE
CLEF notes the sustainable transport plan and the acknowledgement that the regional bus system is in the purview of the Combined Authority, which is planning more active travel modes. However, there is no schedule for alternative modes of transport and we cannot afford to wait for the end of the period covered by the plan to institue this. Indeed, many of these proposals seem to be contingent on development and developers. The current public transport bus system fails to meet past or current needs and requires immediate low-carbon improvements.
This includes eliminating private car use around the city with an integrated (electric) public transport system which would: cut congestion and commuting times as well as help reduce air pollution and its related health problems; improve the street and living environment for Cambridge residents; and cut CO2 emissions. This would be a major symbol of Greater Cambridge's determination to safeguard the environment and tackle the climate crisis. Our regional reliance on the car persists: in London, where public transport is very good, car ownership is 45% - in Cambridge City it was 66% in 2011 (in Cambridgeshire, it was 89%). In 2018, the region had the highest rate of car ownership of all English regions (1.4 cars per household).
The growth assumed in the Local Plan does not explain how public services (for example in health and social care) are going to cope with the substantial projected population growth, given continuing cuts in government financial support. This only exacerbates pressure on the poorer parts of the community more dependent on public as opposed to private provision.
There are no clear plans for renewable energy, green infrastructure and reduced car dependence in the local plan. For example, for developments of under 100 homes (and an unspecified size of industrial development) there will be no requirement to include an assessment of the capacity of infrastructure to support the development. There is no guarantee that those buying the new homes will be those working/studying within the proposed 30-minute walking radius. With cars (including electric cars) getting heavier and homes being heated to ever highertemperatures (see Absolute Zero Report), the burden on energy supply rises.