The government has released their vision of Greater Cambridge by 2050
A couple of salient points…
WATER
Our first priority is water scarcity, which is holding back development and risks causing environmental harm. It is vital that the city has the water supply it needs to support long-term growth, including a new reservoir in the Fens and a new pipeline to transfer water from nearby Grafham Water. We are also making a one-off intervention to support growth in the shorter term by delivering water savings through improved water efficiency of appliances in existing buildings that can offset new homes and commercial space
TRANSPORT
The government envisages a transport system made up of several elements, which may range from improved walking and cycling routes to mass transit system options, such as trams and light rail. To support this long-term ambition and the immediate transport requirements of Greater Cambridge, the government will:
Deliver East West Rail, radically improving connectivity to other innovation and economic centres in Bedford, Milton Keynes and Oxford, and making sure we bring the full benefits ofthis new line to the city of Cambridge.
Ensure that the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the world-leading life sciences cluster in the south of the city, has the right public transport links by providing £7.2 million to progress connectivity schemes. We will ensure that any scheme is connected into the city’s future transport network, including the new station at the campus, currently in development,that will improve connections into south Cambridge.
One can note comments from the newish Cambridge Delivery Group (CDG), chaired by Peter Freeman (Chair, Homes England), to drive forward the vision for Cambridge in collaboration with local partners.
There are a number of early opportunities identified by local partners that help to realise Cambridge’s long-term potential. The CDG is actively supporting the local area to unlock and accelerate the delivery of planned growth at key strategic sites, including the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge East (Marshall’s Airport) and North East Cambridge.
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These opportunities, alongside the government’s measures to address water scarcity, aim to accelerate the local area’s existing plans in the near-term.