Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 203220

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

New developments must be designed to facilitate direct and efficient bus operation, following the principles set out in Bus Services & New Residential Developments (Second Edition).

Comment

Representation ID: 203221

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

Bus services are as, if not more important, for bus travel as dedicated bus infrastructure. The Local Plan must set out a service pattern for key routes (frequent services, 7 day a week operation, long operating hours, guaranteed last bus) that will make bus travel attractive for all everyday journeys, not just travel to. Measures to enable buses to travel into and through Cambridge unimpeded are essential. Without these, bus services to and from new developments will be highly unreliable, slow and expensive to run. Buses should also serve key destinations (employment, education, medical and leisure) directly.

Comment

Representation ID: 203222

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

Travel by bus must be easy and attractive from day one of occupation of a new development, and developer contributions should support bus services for an extended period (we suggest ten years) so residents have the services they need to build the habit of bus travel.

Comment

Representation ID: 203223

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

The ability of residents in new developments to travel by bus depends to a large part on the quality of the whole bus network (which is currently inadequate for its communities’ needs), not just the quality of the infrastructure/services that come with new developments, The Local Plan should establish methods to raise funds for an expanded bus network across Greater Cambridge.

Comment

Representation ID: 203224

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

A good bus network is a lifeline, connecting people with social networks, personal development opportunities and essential services at a cost they can afford. It is particularly important for young people, whose transport options are limited and financial circumstances often challenging. Bus travel is therefore an important tool to boost health, wellbeing and social inclusion. The Local Plan should recognise it as such, and establish policies to bring about easy bus access to key services, education providers and community, sports and leisure facilities, especially those delivered via the Plan.

Comment

Representation ID: 203225

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

The Plan treats electric cars as a form of sustainable transport. This is contrary to its vision to minimise reliance on the private car. Electric private cars also have the same impacts on congestion and road safety as petrol or diesel cars. The Plan must be explicit that it prioritises travel by public transport, walking/wheeling and cycling.

Comment

Representation ID: 203226

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

We support new development minimising carbon emissions and reliance on the private car. The high level of private car traffic in and around Cambridge is already a significant hindrance to reliable and attractive bus transport. Despite the ambitions, it is not clear the policies it contains will achieve this aim. The Transport Evidence Report estimates that only just under half of trips from new developments will be made by non-car modes, therefore a mismatch between the vision and the expected outcomes.
The Local Plan would be more likely to achieve its Vision if a greater percentage of the new housing was planned for sites in and on the edge of Cambridge, or next to existing public transport hubs, instead of in new settlements miles from the city. Planning to locate sites of employment closer to new developments would also help the Plan to bring about its stated transport goal.

Comment

Representation ID: 203227

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

The phrase ‘sustainable transport’ is not defined in this policy, however elsewhere in the Plan, electric vehicles are included as a form of sustainable transport. The Local Plan will not achieve its vision of minimising reliance on private cars if electric vehicles are treated as a sustainable transport mode.

Comment

Representation ID: 203228

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

It should be made clear throughout the Plan that the ambition is to encourage the greatest possible movement by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport. Policy I/ST should be renamed ‘Walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport’ and subsequent references in the text updated accordingly. The definition of sustainable transport in the glossary should also be amended to remove low and ultra-low emission vehicles.

Comment

Representation ID: 203229

Received: 27/01/2026

Respondent: Cambridge Area Bus Users

Number of people: 2

Policy could be strengthened:
1- ‘Reduce reliance’ should be replaced with ‘minimise reliance’
2 - suggest Amed to read "‘'Planning permission
will only be granted for development where the site will, by first occupation, prioritise integration and accessibility by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.'"
2b - the phrase ‘to provide real travel choice’ should be repeated
2b - suggest new wording as follows:
"Ensuring major developments are supported by high quality public transport routes and frequent services linking them to Cambridge city centre, and other key destinations including major centres of employment, education and services, to provide real travel choice for all journeys.’ 2bi Public transport services to and from new developments should:
- Run at least every 15 mins in peak periods
- Run 7 days a week
- Run in the early mornings and late at night
- Include a guaranteed last bus"