A campaign group has begun a legal challenge to Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) proposed £200 million Cambourne to Cambridge (CtoC) busway.

GCP says the scheme will connect new and existing communities to the west of Cambridge with the city via the new Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton and the West Cambridge site.

It submitted a Transport Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Department for Transport, in November, seeking approval.

But local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future (CPPF) has launched a challenge. It argues that enhancing bus services alongside existing roads, including providing a bus lane on Madingley Hill, would achieve the project’s objectives without causing environmental degradation or disrupting agricultural activities. 

The charity says the proposed scheme is intended to go through Coton Orchard (pictured above) and Madingley Hill, areas renowned for their environmental significance, heritage and agricultural value. 

CPPF, a coalition of Cambridge villages, farmers, charities and conservationists, is now fundraising for its challenge.

Former TV broadcaster Clive Anderson, president of the Woodland Trust, has argued in favour of the move. He said: “The proposed new busway from Cambourne to Cambridge might, in the fulness of time, make a small contribution to combatting the global climate crisis, but it would be a great shame if this could only be achieved at the cost of making worse the biodiversity crisis which threatens the natural world as well.

“It is not in our long- or short-term interests to remove the mature trees of Coton Orchard, and the irreplaceable habitats which exist in and around them, which once lost, are lost forever.” 

James Littlewood, chief executive of CPPF, said: “It is possible to improve bus services from Cambourne to Cambridge without building a road through four wildlife sites and our charity’s land.

“Over 22,200 people signed a petition asking local politicians to build bus lanes, not bus roads, to avoid unnecessary environmental damage.

“However, they have pushed ahead with their plans and we are submitting our objection to Government, which will trigger a public inquiry. We will be faced with a huge legal bill to save nature and the countryside, and we are appealing for donations to help.” 

Visit  www.cambridgeppf.org/cambourne-cambridge-busway ​

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