Beehive redevelopment plans contain no useable green space despite appeals from residents and councillors

Disappointing set of refined proposals from RailPEN’s consultants – which feel at odds with what local railway workers who pay into the pension fund may want. If you want to read yourself search 22/05250/SCOP on the planning portal or look at the new set of docs here. I said I’d come back to this atContinue reading “Beehive redevelopment plans contain no useable green space despite appeals from residents and councillors”

The new Cambridge South Station proposals approved

After decades of waiting, finally! You can read the full text and conditions from the official correspondence here. It was covered by New Civil Engineer just before Christmas Eve. But they should have done it ***ages ago*** Above – from the late 1980s, the late Paddy Ashdown (then Leader of the Liberal Democrats) with localContinue reading “The new Cambridge South Station proposals approved”

Tycoon tries to cage the social media microblogging bird

…the announcement on all sorts of new restrictions and bans being made in the middle of the 2022 World Cup Final between Argentina and France. You can read the post by the BBC here. …an announcement that had Fb’s account with its rival peeking behind closed palms… ….before the inevitable climbdown as I was halfwayContinue reading “Tycoon tries to cage the social media microblogging bird”

Former transport minister describes the GCP’s decision to go for busways rather than light rail as ‘a shame’

Norman Baker, the former Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, and also a former Transport Minister at the Department for Transport during the 2010-15 Coalition Government spoke at an online event organised by the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA). The LRTA is currently offering a free three month digital subscription for new members – and theyContinue reading “Former transport minister describes the GCP’s decision to go for busways rather than light rail as ‘a shame’”

Treating the causes of loneliness as a public policy issue

…rather than a medical issue, something raised in The Lancet. I’ve written more than my fair share about loneliness because it’s a part of my life – to the extent that I’ve been exploring the public policy issues behind it. I wrote this piece shortly after I came out of hospital this time last year,Continue reading “Treating the causes of loneliness as a public policy issue”

Labour’s new plan for Britain – what does it mean for Cambridge?

Absolutely nothing if they don’t get elected at the next general election. In the meantime, have a read. The main point to note is the consultation that effectively begins now. Above – A New Britain, p146 Furthermore in the executive summary, note the point on ‘localism’ “The common desire for more local control should beContinue reading “Labour’s new plan for Britain – what does it mean for Cambridge?”

Rail Future East challenges Cambridge’s Sci/Tech bubble to take note of our city’s regional connections

On Mill Road Winter Fair 2022 day, Rail Future had one of their regional meetings at The Signal Box around the corner from the main railway station in Cambridge. And the latter was absolutely jam packed as in previous years. Above: NEWZ-SPOOF: “Hordes of anti-car activists block main road into Cambridge” One thing that MillContinue reading “Rail Future East challenges Cambridge’s Sci/Tech bubble to take note of our city’s regional connections”

The East Cambridge Tech firms & landowners should pay for a new Fulbourn Railway/Light Rail Station

…and if they do not volunteer to fund it, the next government should pass the necessary legislation to make them. All of this stems from yet another overturned decision by a Central Government-Appointed Planning Inspector following a decision by the Joint Develop Control Committee of Cambridge City Council, and South Cambridgeshire District Council on 27Continue reading “The East Cambridge Tech firms & landowners should pay for a new Fulbourn Railway/Light Rail Station”

The fate of Cambridge’s Tourist Information Centre reflects the mess of our city’s governance structures

The Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee of Cambridgeshire County Council is considering hosting tourist information offices within their library functions – which were formerly a function of Cambridge City Council and sister district councils in previous generations. You can read the papers for their meeting on 08 Dec 2022 here. It’s item 9. AboveContinue reading “The fate of Cambridge’s Tourist Information Centre reflects the mess of our city’s governance structures”

11,000 responses and counting to the Greater Cambridge consultation on city access

…and there’s still four weeks to go. You can watch the full presentation and the Q&A responses here. Highlights include: Both the current and former Mayor have spoken out against the proposed road user/congestion charging, and lined up a series of Qs and points for Mr Blake to deal with. The figure of 11,000 figureContinue reading “11,000 responses and counting to the Greater Cambridge consultation on city access”