Bad news for bus users

There’s bad news for bus users in Cottenham and Rampton, Histon and Impington. Residents of Oakington are thankfully spared. And those who live in Orchard Park get a strange temporary arrangement whilst we all wait for the guided bus.

It’s been a double whammy. First off the Tory run County Council has announced that it is cutting all bus subsidies. That’s right: all subsidies. This means that over the next year or so all subsidised routes will be withdrawn unless the operator opts to continue running them on a 100% commercial basis. This means that Histon will lose its Thursday service, the 110, to Ely; and Rampton will lose its three times daily service, the 106, to Ely. And of course people who live on the routes in Cottenham and beyond will lose their service as well. It’s an especially cruel blow for Rampton because the 106 provides a connection to the Stagecoach service which runs into Cambridge. (more…)

Library service review

Details have been announced of Cambridgeshire County Council’s library service review consultation timetable. There will be a series of public meetings including two at the Over conference and community centre on 12 Aug 10 and 14 Sep 10 between 1830 and 2030.

Click here for information about the Over conference and community centre.

Click here to access the on-line questionnaire.

Cambridge transport debated at Westminster Hall

Cambridge City MP spoke at the recent adjournment debate. He began:

‘I am delighted to have secured this crucial debate, especially as it is the last Westminster Hall debate before the long recess. I apologise, Mr Sheridan, for detaining you and the Minister from the break. Transport affects all my constituents daily, in one way or another, and it is a major concern that is raised constantly by residents and employers. Having spent almost my whole life in Cambridge, and having chaired the Cambridge traffic management committee for many years, I know the problems all too well. However, I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to make transport in Cambridge better for all-for businesses using important freight routes, for commuters who make the daily journey to work, and for tourists who come to enjoy the region’s historical and cultural attractions.’

Click hereto read Julian’s speech in full and the subsequent response from the (Lib Dem) minister.

Rampton annual parish council meeting

It’s that time of the year again … time for the annual parish meetings. Sue and David try and go to most monthly meetings and of course the annual meetings are something extra special so we do our very best to attend those. We’ve already been to 3 this year. Cottenham was last week then Rampton at the beginning of this week and Oakington on Wednesday. Histon and Impington will be next month. Sue and David have sent in an annual report but they are still required to attend and answer questions. Read the rest of this entry.

Rampton parishioners present bus petition

Rampton parishioners Sylvia Beaumont and Chris Dickinson presented a petition at Decmeber’s county council meeting calling for better bus services for Rampton. Read the rest of this entry.

Ely yes Cambridge no

If you live in Rampton, and many people do, there’s not much choice if you want to go ‘into town’ but don’t wish to use a car or cycle. The Citi 7 service starts at Rampton at 0720 Monday to Friday but there’s no buses returning to the village. And there’s a twice daily service to Ely Monday to Saturday run by Dews Coaches of Huntingdon. Read the rest of this entry.

2 Lib Dem County Councillors for CH&I …

… and for the Meadows, Oakington, Orchard Park, Rampton and Westwick.

It was a humbling result in Cottenham, Histon and Impington this week. After a long and exhausting campaign the Lib Dems won both county council seats. David Jenkins retained his coming top of the poll and Sue Gymer was elected just ahead of the two Tory candidates. The margin between 2nd and 3rd was slim enough to justify a recount. Read the rest of this entry.

Rampton parents delighted at school bus ruling

When Cambridgeshire County Council announced earlier this year that it intended to withdraw the school bus which took Rampton children to the junior school in Cottenham parents were furious. The alternative is a 2 mile walk along a footpath immediately bordering the road which morning commuters from Willingham and the north use to drive into Cambridge. (more…)