Cambridgeshire "Light Rail" proposals

[D365]

Here's an interesting one I just spotted in the local rag:

Proposals for a light railway to connect Cambridgeshire’s market towns with the county’s cities have been unveiled by the mayor.

The scheme has been made a priority by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, led by mayor James Palmer, who wants to see a sustainable transport network set up across the county.

According to the deputy mayor, Councillor Robin Howe, who has backed the proposal, a feasibility study has already been commissioned, with funds put aside for the initial work to be carried out.

“It is a real game-changing idea if we can get our market towns linked into the main cities, Cambridge and Peterborough, via a light railway and for Cambridge city in particular there is an underground system being considered,” Cllr Howe said.

“The whole business of getting to and from work will be transformed. This is a massive project but it is no more massive than the metro in Tyneside – it is well tried and tested technology.”

If the light railway scheme is proved viable it could stretch to Wisbech, near the border with Norfolk, and to Haverhill, in Suffolk.

It is also likely that the line will include stops in Huntingdon, St Neots, St Ives, and Ramsey, and could link with an underground in Cambridge.

“This light rail system is a very innovative way and relatively speaking it’s cheap, cheaper than other modes like a full-blown railway which will need multiple buildings,” Councillor Howe added.

“It will definitely go out to Wisbech and it will go to Haverhill, go to St Neots and come to Huntingdon.

“The network is being planned at the moment but, of course, it would take multiple years to develop.”

To be honest, this is basically what I used to say should have been developed instead of that busway. It's a shame that despite the 1000s of houses being planted in every nook and cranny, an idea like this still can't come to fruition. The only good transport links we have are due to being on a London commuter belt.

 

[TheDavibob]

Here's an interesting one I just spotted in the local rag:



To be honest, this is basically what I used to say should have been developed instead of that busway. It's a shame that despite the 1000s of houses being planted in every nook and cranny, an idea like this still can't come to fruition. The only good transport links we have are due to being on a London commuter belt.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (formerly the Cambridge City Deal) has commissioned a mass transit study, see:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/monorail-futuristic-120mph-buses-back-13358677

A monorail for Cambridge could be back on the cards and will be included in a £150,000 transport study alongside light rail and futuristic 120mph rapid buses for consideration.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (formerly City Deal) assembly met yesterday (July 19) and gave their unanimous support to giving £150,000 to a consultant to look into mass transport options for Cambridge and the surrounding area.

Light rail will be looked at, as will a monorail. The consultant will also consider a rapid transit bus system and other “affordable very rapid transport”.

Of course, most options are spurious, but it should give a definite, costed plan for the future, rather than the ramshackle nature of the City Deal to date.

I can't see any reason for a line to Wisbech to be anything other than heavy rail, though. Cambourne - Haverhill makes a hint of sense, but not utilising the existing line from March doesn't.

 

[gordonthemoron]

120mph rapid bus and a monorail?

 

[TheDavibob]

120mph rapid bus and a monorail?

Hence my "spurious" comment. To be fair, the rapid bus has at least some thought behind it, it's the brainchild of John Miles' group at the University and seems vaguely reasonable.

Sensible consideration of busway/tram/underground is of far more practical benefit than even mentioning the word "monorail", though. Though my expectation is that they'll all get rubbish BCRs, sadly.

 

[edwin_m]

Better chuck that Chinese elevated bus into the mix too.

 

[D365]

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/new...-underground-metro-driverless-trains-14014579

People could be catching the Cambridge Metro within seven years, as a new report backs the vision for a “revolutionary” new underground system in the city.

An over-ground network could be finished by 2021, with tunnelling for an underground metro potentially being completed by 2025.

At least this time they’ve thrown a route map in!

 

[Mordac]

"An over-ground network could be finished by 2021, with tunnelling for an underground metro potentially being completed by 2025."

Yeah, that's gonna happen. More like 2045.

 

[Rational Plan]

rail future had a nice overground proposal for Greater Cambridge, which are part of the bid for funds.

Extend a line to Haverhill and Wisbech. Redouble various single local lines, such as to Newmarket. build new junctions around Ely and four track from Cambridge North to Cambridge and then to a new Addenbrookes station, so that you have a local cross Cambridge line to Neswmarket, Soham, Ely, Wisbeech, Royston and Haverhill.

Then build a single line LRT from Cambridge station underground with one underground station in the city centre and then surfacing in the west to link the various new capuses before linkiny up all the new housing estateds along the A428 to Cambourne.

The cost at least a couple of billion, and the price would be allow greater cambridge to really be our new silicon valley and let tens of thousands of new house be built along these rail and tram lines.