Campaigner reflects on 'demanding' Cambridgeshire busway inquiry
The public inquiry's coming to a close
A campaigner hopes the Cambourne to Cambridge busway inquiry has shed light on the plans she's fighting against.
Since September, the inquiry - which is due to come to a close this week - has heard evidence for and against the 8.7 mile scheme, known as the C2C busway.
Anna Gazeley - whose father bought Coton Orchard in 1996, which lies directly in the path of the busway - is one of those who has spoken at the hearings.
"It's been long and demanding, but also revealing," she said.
"The evidence has finally been heard in full, and whatever happens next, the orchard has been seen as the living place it is, not just a blank space on a map."
Where will the busway go?
The C2C busway project has been put together by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP).
If it goes ahead, a new busway would be built via the Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton, and the West Cambridge site.
A pathway alongside the busway is also proposed for pedestrians and cyclists, while a travel hub is also planned at Scotland Farm.
Evidence 'hallucinated by AI'
At the inquiry, Anna told inspectors about the ecological importance of the orchard and shared fears about the impact the development would have on the “fragile” trees.
A legal representative of Cambridgeshire County Council - who with the GCP submitted the busway plans to the Department for Transport (DfT) - questioned the credibility of some of Ms Gazeley’s evidence.
“You referred to a reference that does not exist. It has been made up and hallucinated by AI," they said.
In response, Ms Gazeley said she had used AI to help create her submission and accepted it may not be a perfect document.
But she said there were other references made and advice taken from experts about the impact of moving the trees.
"The inquiry has brought everyone to the table - ecologists, residents, experts and students - and forced an honest conversation about what 'public good' really means," Anna said.
"It has shown that communities are not against progress, but that progress must make environmental and economic sense."
'We've taken it as far as we can'
Cambridgeshire County Council estimates the contract for the building of the busway - worth around £168 million - would run from June next year until the end of 2028, with a possible extension to May 2031.
In January, a spokesperson for the GCP said the busway would "support both existing and growing communities - helping residents to get where they need to be."
Coton Orchard, which dates back to 1922, is home to hundreds of trees, including apple trees and endangered birds.
The DfT is due to make a final decision on whether to give the go-ahead to the C2C busway after the inquiry.
"The campaign itself now ends; we've taken it as far as we can and the decision lies with others," Anna added.
"But the community it created will continue because the orchard continues.
"The inspectors will make their recommendation to the Secretary of State, and then we wait, but we won't be idle."