Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

I’m lost for words at the bland acquiescence of Historic England’s response to the rage-generating carbuncle at the southern gateway into Cambridge. This response must be challenged “Again” because they should have insisted Brookgate rebuild the Fosters Mill Silo at Cambridge Station ***down to the last moss-covered roof tile***. TL/DR? Whatever your views of thisContinue reading “Historic England failing Cambridge. Again.”

Which probably means July if they want to get it done before Parliament’s summer recess, or September for when Parliament returns. It’s in papers for South Cambridgeshire District Council for their full council meeting on 04 December 2025 – see item 12. Ideally this should also have been a paper for Cambridge City Councillors inContinue reading “Cambridge Growth Company’s Mass Transit Commission to report back in June 2026”

Image on Combined Authority pamphlet conflicts with emerging findings in the field of neuroarchitecture, including from one of Cambridge University’s own pioneering researchers You can read more in the CPCA’s leaflet here “Modern architects and their commissioning firms uglifying Cambridge again?” Yep. For those of you who want to campaign on this, join Cambridge Past,Continue reading “Pilbrow and Partners design ugly carbuncles for Parker’s Piece Corner”

The minutes from the lates growth company meeting make for depressing reading for light rail supporters “CGC has accepted a commission from MHCLG, HMT and DfT to lead on a strategic outline business case for a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to inform transport solutions in support of the growth of Cambridge.” Above – from theContinue reading “The Cambridge Growth Company risks making the same mistake as the GCP on light rail”

You can have a listen to Mr Zeichner’s speech here. Image – briefing paper from the Centre for Cities on how the tax might work The Budget 2025 papers are here. Feel free to do some keyword searches to see what comes up. The consultation on a tourism tax/visitors levy is here The questions theContinue reading “Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner responds to Budget speech as tourism tax policy goes to consultation”

BBC Look East featured the latest ‘crackdown’ on illegal e-scooters on Cambridge’s streets on 24 Nov 2025. Given the extended trials, the environmental benefits vs motor vehicles, and the fact that so many people are now using them anyway in breach of the law, why are ministers unwilling to legalise, tax, and regulate them? Image:Continue reading “Ministers could save time and money by legalising and regulating e-scooters. So why won’t they?”

This follows Cambridge Connect and Josh Grantham’s one for the Cambridgeshire Sustainable Travel Alliance Image – Rail Future East’s annual meeting in Cambridge (which always clashes with the Mill Road Winter Fair!) – do come along and talk trains, trams, light rail, and integrated public transport and active travel! Once you put a map inContinue reading “Another tram/light rail concept map?”

A long-overdue policy change following campaigning by metro mayors was made in a written statement to Parliament by local government ministers earlier “The consultation is available on GOV.UK and will close on 18 February.” Above – GovUK Press Release 25 Nov 2025. Only the press release linked above says it won’t be published until tomorrowContinue reading “Tourism taxes coming to England following Scotland’s example”

Following the first two workshops in the late 2025 series of events, my next event will be an informal conversation and also slightly shorter. (Unless participants choose to continue talking as they did at the last two events!) Details: Please sign up here so I know how many copies of things to bring! For theContinue reading “The Future of Cambridge – and informing the public about ministerial powers”

An update on my blogpost (see here) from a few months ago when I went to their consultation. You can watch the presentation from CSP representatives here For those of you only interested in the Qs that your councillors asked, see here You can also browse their exhibition boards from their September events here TheContinue reading “Cambridge Science Park presents new plans to councillors”