Cambridge congestion charge debate to return despite collapse
A debate on the revised plans was cancelled earlier this month
Despite a debate being cancelled earlier this month, plans on whether or not to impose a congestion charge in Cambridge are due to be brought back to the table today.
The revised plans had been due to be debated for the first time on September 7, but did not go ahead after political support for the proposed ‘Sustainable Travel Zone’ dropped.
Anthony Painter is a member of the Cambs Parents for Sustainable Travel group:
"It (a congestion charge) raises revenue which you can invest in better buses, better public transport and it discourages particularly short unnecessary journeys," he said.
"We need a city and surrounding area where congestion is managed, where the roads are safe, and that will require some of us to choose to travel by car less and travel by bus, walk or cycle."
Will Bannell, who supports the anti-charge Cambridgeshire Residents Group, thinks the move will harm many people:
"You're going to increase the overheads of everybody, affecting the most vulnerable, the people on lower incomes, the disabled, the sick, people who depend on roads to get by," he said.
"You might take 5 per cent of cars off the road that way but you're still going to have congestion in Cambridge with or without a congestion charge."
Plans return to the table three weeks after collapse
Three weeks ago, political support for the congestion charge plans began to seemingly fall apart when representatives of the Liberal Democrat group at South Cambridgeshire District Council said they “did not feel able to discuss matters”.
The comment came as their party said it did not support the current plans.
The Labour group at Cambridge City Council also announced that it did not think the current proposals should proceed.
The revised proposals for the potential Cambridge congestion charge were put forward by the GCP to try and address concerns that had been raised.
In those proposals included a weekday £5 charge to only apply during peak hours in the morning and afternoon.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership's board is due to meet this afternoon.