Labour City Councillors Welcome Decision by County Tories to Go Back to Drawing Board

24 June 2008

Cambridge Labour Councillors have welcomed the announcement by new county leader, Cllr Jill Tuck, that its "back to the drawing board" with the county's current plan for the congestion charge and city transport investment, as Labour Councillors called for only a few weeks ago .

Labour Councillors objected to the unfairness of the proposed congestion scheme for most city residents and the fact that the county's spending list did not tackle the city's biggest public transport problems, including the desperate need for a tram or other fast public transport system right through the heart of Cambridge, via an effective transport interchange.

Councillor Lewis Herbert, Labour Leader on the City Council, said

"What has been so sad about the last year of half-baked proposals and consultation is that the city so desperately needs an effective, integrated plan. We need a plan to tackle congestion that city residents will sign up to, that improves life for residents, workers and visitors, for cyclists and pedestrians. The new plan must also include fast public transport like a tram through the heart of Cambridge, and new bus routes to poorly served areas in and outside the city.

"We will also be looking very closely at the new plans to make sure they are not just a retread, and that a range of deliverable options is put through rigorous assessment and consultation. This time around, the decision process must also give city residents a real say on the biggest challenge facing Cambridge."