£7 million transport plan approved for St Neots
Published Date:
11 September 2008
AMBITIOUS proposals to plough more than £7 million into improving road safety and transport facilities in St Neots have been approved.
Last year nearly 400 people filled in questionnaires issued by Cambridgeshire County Council asking them their views on its new transport strategy for the town.
Residents were asked for their opinions on schemes such as improvements to the town's pedestrian and cycle network, road safety measures, the installation of cycle racks and whether they would like to see electronic devices, telling passengers when the next buses are due, put up at bus stops.
The county council's Cabinet this week considered the results of that consultation and agreed to adopt the strategy as part of its 2006-11 Local Transport Plan.
However, a leading councillor warned the scheme was dependent on the council securing the cash for it.
Deputy leader Cllr Mac McGuire said at the meeting: "I would like to say that the document is largely aspirational. The next step is to see how we can fund the strategy."
He said some of the financing for the scheme would be dependent on money being contributed from local developers. However, it was pointed out that this may not be so forthcoming in the near future due to many delaying building work because of the credit crunch.
The council did acknowledge that if proposed developments in St Neots – including a possible 5,000-home alternative to the county getting an eco-town – went ahead, then the necessary infrastructure would need to be put in place to support the growing population.
However, county officer for the Liberal Democrats Martin Land, who attended the meeting as a spectator, believes the Conservative-led council needs to make more immediate improvements.
He said: "Money isn't everything. We need to start with the basic things such as getting bus shelters put up.
"Many bus stops in the town don't even have timetables.
"During the 10 minutes or so the transport plan was discussed at the meeting I didn't once hear them refer to buses or transport in general.
"What is needed is not these big airy fairy schemes but a start with the down to earth basics."
Last year's consultation revealed that all of the proposals put forward in the strategy received high levels of support from respondents.
A total of 92 per cent of those who filled in the forms supported or strongly supported plans to make bus routes and map information more available, while 88 per cent agreed that road safety and traffic management measures needed to be carried out to improve the flow of traffic in the town.
People were also enthusiastic about plans to build a £1.6 million foot and cycle bridge over the River Great Ouse to connect Eaton Socon and Eynesbury.
However, no final date was given for when – or if – work would be carried out.
Funding would ultimately come from a the county council, Huntingdon District Council, developers and other funding bodies.
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Last Updated:
11 September 2008 11:31 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Huntingdon