…but I will probably be plant food before such services are up and running due to the additional infrastructure required. The link is in the press release here “Passenger Rail Study Phase Two.” “England’s Heartland” “What about the Northern Powerhouse?” The cynic in me thinks the branding was thought up prior to the 2019 GeneralContinue reading “Cambridge to Manchester direct by train? Or Bristol? Could happen.”
Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl
“What’s going to change, and when?”
Former England Captain Gary Neville called out the Prime Minister on TV today. But will anything change? Above – from SSF from 6mins20secs in. In Parliament today, the Home Secretary was challenged by her Labour Shadow, Nick Thomas-Symonds in the Commons here, and also by the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, former HomeContinue reading ““What’s going to change, and when?””
“I still prefer: ‘Do it for Millichip, Bert'”
On decades of watching the England football team on the telly – culminating in the most socially influential squad, and one I am the least familiar with (compared to past ones in the late 20th Century) reaching the final of a major tournament for the first time in my lifetime. (i.e. after 1966). For thoseContinue reading ““I still prefer: ‘Do it for Millichip, Bert’””
The Committee for Standards in Public Life & The Information Commissioner pull up the Government on propriety, governance, & elections
I’m not going to go through the detail of both of these recent developments other than to say they are of the highest public interest given their content. But before you do so… …have a watch of Labour MP Chris Bryant cross-examining Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the bi-annual Liaison Committee hearings in Parliament. It’sContinue reading “The Committee for Standards in Public Life & The Information Commissioner pull up the Government on propriety, governance, & elections”
City Centre Access – two months for Greater Cambridge Partnership to come up with something new
Following the decision to proceed with the busways, the Greater Cambridge Partnership now needs to come up with something substantial to deal with the ‘last mile’ problem – something that they should have solved first. Ben Hatton has written up the Cambridge News account of last week’s Board Meeting. The problem that the GCP nowContinue reading “City Centre Access – two months for Greater Cambridge Partnership to come up with something new”
Whose future vision of Cambridge is being delivered, and why?
Some of you may have seen the spoof letter to the people of the city regarding access to Grantchester Meadows following the restrictions put in place by landowner King’s College. Picture the scene: The King of England (Henry VI to be precise) rocked up to Cambridge and surveyed the scene on Milne Street. He sawContinue reading “Whose future vision of Cambridge is being delivered, and why?”
The approval of the Greater Cambridge Busways reflects the broken governance system of our city & county
The origin of this lie with the Coalition Government and their decision to create the Greater Cambridge Partnership, and later under the Conservatives to create the Combined Authority – instead of undertaking the long overdue national restructure of local government. It does not, however remove the risk that the general public will look at thisContinue reading “The approval of the Greater Cambridge Busways reflects the broken governance system of our city & county”
Cambridgeshire County Council to maintain a presence on Castle Hill, Cambridge – could this include an enhanced heritage offer?
Pictured: Campaigners calling for Cambridge’s Castle Mound Historical Monument to be protected from potential privatisation. Back in 2016 shortly after the EU Referendum I decided to switch my focus away from national politics and move it towards local history. I made my way to the top of the Hill and recorded this piece: …and I’veContinue reading “Cambridgeshire County Council to maintain a presence on Castle Hill, Cambridge – could this include an enhanced heritage offer?”
What happens to the proposed Cambourne-Cambridge busway buses when they hit Grange Road?
Above – me on Queen’s Road Green, pointing towards West Road – and Grange Road beyond it, from way back in 2017. The same question applies for the CSET buses from the east when they hit Addenbrooke’s? Only I’ve been asking these questions for years. ***Look at how much hair I have! (and how fewContinue reading “What happens to the proposed Cambourne-Cambridge busway buses when they hit Grange Road?”
“Greater Cambridge looks forward to multiple long and bitter disputes with communities”
Pick up a copy of this week’s Cambridge Independent (23 June 2021) – it’s all in there. The next big decision is on 01 July at the Greater Cambridge Partnership Board – you can read the 678 pages of meeting papers here. Above – Chris Rand, Editor of the Queen Edith’s Newsletter (posting in aContinue reading ““Greater Cambridge looks forward to multiple long and bitter disputes with communities””
The Cambridge Town Owl 