Susan van de Ven

Cambridgeshire County Council released today the results of its wide ranging public consultation exercise in relation to the proposed congestion charge. This included a face-to-face survey of 1,100 randomly selected residents across Cambridgeshire.  The report of that survey summarised its findings as follows:

There is a clear issue with congestion in and around Cambridge. Nearly all respondents thought congestion was a serious problem in Cambridge with 40% stating it was a very serious problem. Half the respondents said congestion had got worse over the last twelve months. Respondents said the main ways to reduce congestion were cheaper fares on public transport, more frequent public transport and more reliable public transport. Three quarters of respondents said they would use their car less if there were suitable alternative ways to travel.

Two thirds of respondents say a car or van is their main method of transport in Cambridge and relatively few mainly use public transport. However, half the respondents said they were satisfied with public transport in their local area. The main improvements that would encourage more use of local bus services were: cheaper bus fares, more frequent bus services and more reliable and punctual buses.

Four fifths of respondents said charging £5 to drive in Cambridge during morning peak would have some effect on reducing congestion although a quarter stated that they would carry on as before if a congestion charge was introduced. Respondents thought residents in Cambridge and disabled residents should pay less congestion charge. Over half the respondents thought the money raised should be spent on improving bus services in Cambridgeshire.

Overall a third of respondents support the principle of congestion charging, however support for congestion charging rises significantly if attractive alternatives are in place for travelling in Cambridge (59% would support congestion charging) or if all revenues raised were spent on improving transport in Cambridgeshire (55% would support congestion charging). Two fifths would support congestion charging if it was only introduced between 7.30-9.30am, Monday to Friday.

The full reports are available online at the Cambridgeshire County Council website.

Cambridgeshire County Council Lib Dem group leader, David Jenkins, has called for action on overnight HGV parking.

The recent closure of lay-bys on the A14 and the closure of the truck stop at Alconbury have resulted in more and more lorry drivers looking to stay overnight in the County and very often parking in residential areas. Cllr Jenkins said that the government and councils do not realise that they must provide facilities for drivers to lay over when they impose limits on HGV driver time.

Councillor Jenkins commented:

“It’s tough on the drivers, they have to park somewhere but when they park in residential areas they unfortunately become a nuisance. They come and go during night time and early morning, they run refrigeration units, they make a noise when they’re reversing and they contribute to local light pollution. And of course there are no local bathroom facilities.

“I’ve asked both the County Council and South Cambs District Council and they seem disinclined to do anything even though there are grounds for action. What we need is for the different layers of government to recognise the problem and to work together and come up with a solution. The situation is not going to get better of its own accord.”