Cambridge Connect

Cambridge is at a pivotal moment in its history.

Cambridge is experiencing rapid economic expansion and population growth. As a result, Cambridge is facing some of its greatest challenges. The need for more housing and effective transport links is pressing. The outstanding heritage, environment and quality of life in Cambridgeis under pressure. Given the scale of this challenge, it is vital that solutions developed today are fit for purpose when operational. Short-term projects – much as they are needed – should not compromise, or close off, options needed in the near future.

Barriers to connectivity detract from our quality of life, stifle opportunities, impede economic growth, harm the environment, and cause unnecessary waste. These barriers will increase without major commitments to, and investment in, solutions that are right for the scale of the problem. Piece-meal, local solutions will at best fail to meet needs, and at worst cause irreparable damage to the values of Cambridge. We believe a step-change in thinking is needed to meet the unprecedented scale of the challenge Cambridge is facing.

Cambridge Connect has collaborated with a wide range of organisations, companies and individuals - including Railfuture, UK Tram, Amey, Ankura, CMS, TXM Consult, 5th Studio and experts involved in CrossRail, Manchester Metrolink, Midlands Metro, Edinburgh Trams and the Docklands Light Railway, to create a detailed proposal for Cambridge Light Rail.

Recently we made major revisions to our proposals, with a keen focus on practical delivery and reduction of costs. We re-examined every aspect of the scheme to identify opportunities for efficiencies when meeting priority needs. The latest model comprises three light rail lines (Isaac Newton Line, Darwin Line and Eastern Line) serving Cambridge and the surrounding region, extending ~40 km. A short tunnel in the historic city core links the lines together. Delivery would be in three main phases, with the first two taking between 5-10 years. The overall cost of £1.4 bn includes the tunnel and underground stations, and would be spread over the delivery phases, making the scheme affordable. The phasing is flexible, and subject to more detailed discussion and stakeholder priorities.

Light Rail is a practical and important potential solution adopted in hundreds of cities world-wide. Light Rail offers the speed, capacity, frequency, reliability, convenience and accessibility to bring about major improvements to the Cambridge transport network. Light Rail is also highly scalable to meet future demand. It is the technology most likely to enable substantial change in people’s journey decisions, needed to create a more sustainable City. While more expensive than busways to build, light rail is more economical to operate and would provide an integrated and enduring solution.

In 2018 the Cambridge Mass Transit study concluded light rail was the best available technical solution and that the network model put forward by Cambridge Connect was the best practical solution. However, the study put forward a 'cheaper' solution using a rubber-tyred articulated bus called the "CAM" or "Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro". The Strategic Outline Business Case showed, however, that the cost of CAM would be as much as light rail. Given its highly risky, bespoke and uncertain nature the costs of CAM would probably have exceeded light rail. The proponent of CAM, consultant Steer, put forward an almost identical proposal some 20 years earlier,which also failed to gain traction.

We welcome far-sighted approaches to an integrated and sustainable transport strategy for the Cambridge region. We support proven, low risk, deliverable solutions for a truly transformative transport system for Cambridge. Light rail is currently the only practical and proven technology with the capacity to deliver modal shift on the required scale.

When CAM was scrapped we welcomed that decision. However, the need for mass transit and network integration remains. Filling Cambridge with hundreds of buses per hour is not the answer. Our vision is for a city where there is far greater use of public transport, more pedestrianisation, walking and cycling, enabled and enhanced by light rail. There are many examples throughout Europe where this has been achieved, and it is time for Cambridge to raise its game. The recent government publication "The Case for Cambridge" highlighted the example of Freiburg as a light rail success story.

Cambridge Connect provides a new plan for the Cambridge Light Rail network. The first priorities we call the 'Isaac Newton Line' and the 'Darwin Line', which focus on the axes from the West Campus to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrookes via the city core and Cambridge Central Rail Station, on the northern arc to include the Science Park and Cambridge North Station, and the link to Cambridge East where Marshall's Airfield will soon be transformed into new housing and commercial development.