(20/11/2016)
The National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) report on the Cambridge to Oxford ‘corridor’, under the section on Local Transport and “Enhancing City Connectivity” (Sections 4.38 – 4.40) states [emphasis added]:
“4.39 The development of a robust city centre transport strategy will require strong local leadership and the support of local businesses and potential investors. The Commission’s engagement with local stakeholders, suggests that there is no shortage of enthusiasm for practical innovation in city centre transport. Local authorities, businesses, community groups
and private individuals have suggested a range of measures that could be actively explored in the development of long-term, local transport strategies. These include: […]
- Building overground and underground light–rail systems to serve the fastest-growing cities and their travel to work areas.
“4.40 These measures, if adopted, could mark a transformational shift in the way cities in the corridor function. They may, of course, require complementary mechanisms for raising revenue to fund the development and maintenance of new technology and infrastructure (e.g. work place parking levies and/or supplementary business rates). While these measures would represent a cost to doing businesses, representations received by the Commission suggests that those with a long-term commitment to the success of their city – whether in the public, private or higher education sector – may be content to accept greater cost, if revenues enabled the delivery of a credible, coherent and forward looking transport strategy over which they felt ownership.”
The Cambridge Connect submission to the NIC made back in August specifically made many of these points, so it was pleasing to see that the Commission has taken them on board. Railfuture also argued the benefits of Light Rail in their submission.
