There is an opportunity for you to help shape future transport improvements in our area. Cambridgeshire County Council are developing a long term transport strategy for Cambridgeshire. The council are also looking to develop a Transport Strategy specifically for East Cambridgeshire. Comments can be submitted online with an extended deadline of 25th July 2014.

We discussed the transport strategy consultations at last month’s Parish Council meeting and identified three specific topics;

• Support the HCV group in the introduction of controls of heavy commercial vehicles through the village
• Improve local cycleways, in particular between Witcham Toll and Wentworth crossroads to provide a route from Sutton to Ely
• Retain and improve the bus service, for example with extended hours and a link to the guided busway

As you will be aware, Lorna Dupré and myself are running the “Let Sutton Sleep” campaign calling for a night time ban on lorries (HCVs) through Sutton. The County Council relies on voluntary arrangements and advisory routes to encourage lorry drivers to stay on strategic routes rather than taking short cuts through villages such as our own. However as we know only too well, the advisory routes are not working and I want the County Council to take tougher action.

Cycling is a cheap, convenient and healthy alternative  for shorter journeys but we lack proper cycle routes from Sutton. One route that many have asked for is from Sutton through Witham Toll and Witchford to Ely. There is already a footpath for most of the route but a missing section between Witcham Toll and Wentworth crossroads. If a cycle path could be added along this section of the A142 and the remainder of the footpath upgraded it would be possible to safely cycle all the way from Sutton to the centre of Ely.

For many without access to a car the number 9 bus service which serves our village is a vital transport link. The County Council helps keep the service running with a regular subsidy but even with this we have no service in the evenings or on a Sunday. There is also no easy way to reach the guided busway from Sutton, if a link could be introduced it would open up more bus journeys to village residents.

Details of the County Council’s consultation can be found here www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/tsec, it only takes a few minutes to complete the online survey and make you views know.