Any Cambridge Light Rail scheme would take time to resource and to implement.
In 2017 the Government established the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, with an elected Mayor (James Palmer, elected May 2017; Nik Johnson, elected May 2021). This new body took over responsibility for strategic transport planning across the region, and is playing a leading role in shaping transport solutions. James Palmer supported the ‘Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro’ (CAM) using a rubber-tyred vehicle, which was a type of articulated electric bus. We did not support investment in mass transit based on a version of a bus. Evidence we have reviewed suggests that an approach based on buses is unlikely to achieve the modal shift needed, nor meet quality standards we believe are right for Cambridge.The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) also has responsibilities for delivery of transport improvements, and to date they have invested heavily in proposals for busways (~£120 m). They have shown little interest in light rail, perhaps because their mandate is to work with the City Deal funds which are limited.
If commitment was made to start work on Cambridge Light Rail in 2022, technical studies could be completed within 12 to 18 months, since a lot of background work has already been completed. Detailed engineering design could be accelerated, and initial construction of the first sections of the Isaac Newton Line and Darwin Line could begin in 2023. Conversion of the existing southern busway to light rail could be commenced quickly since the alignment already exists, so is the perfect place to start.
Crossrail tunnelling progressed at an average rate of ~38 m /day. If the Cambridge Light Rail tunnel is ~2.6 km, and we assume twin bore tunnels constructed in a similar manner to Crossrail, construction of the tunnel could be completed in ~70 days, or just over two months. Engineering experts have stated that Cambridge geology is ideal for tunnelling, and given a situation a lot less complex than CrossRail, the tunnelled section should be able to be delivered quickly. Of course, design and planning for the tunnel would take several years, but actual construction could be faster than most people think.
We would like to see completion of Phase One of the Isaac Newton and Darwin lines by 2025 / 2026, with completion of Phase Two by 2029 / 2030. With the right political and financial commitments and public support, we believe this is achieveable.
Commitment and delivery are subject to a wide range of influences, including public engagement, political and institutional support, technical engineering, economic appraisal, funding, and environmental and social impact assessments. There is no doubt that it would be challenging, but we think that it is both needed and worth the effort and investment. While work on long-term infrastructure is underway, it is important that short-term measures support long-term strategies, and specific interventions should not be adopted if they might impede or close off options that are more important in the wider strategy. Thus, while short-term improvements may be needed, they should be aligned with a longer term strategy, as this will both enhance investments made and help to avoid waste of scarce resources. Moreover, bus improvements can be delivered in the short term, and in parallel.
