Plans for Cambridge congestion charge dropped

Proposals for a £5 (US$6.06) congestion charge for Cambridge, UK will not go ahead following a meeting of key stakeholders.

The rollback comes amid wider debate in the UK about measures to address congestion and air quality and reach net zero goals.

Citing a lack of political consensus, the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) board – comprised of the city and county councils and local business and education groups – said it could not recommend taking the proposals forward.

“Although the proposals will not now be going ahead, we have to do something about congestion in our city, and the related impacts upon air quality and climate change more generally,” Councillor Mike Davey, Leader of Cambridge City Council, told Cities Today.

“This problem will exacerbate as the city continues to grow, regardless of the scale involved.

“The focus should be to combat transport inequality by providing buses for people not profit, lobbying for investment in trains and delivering safer cycling and walking networks, while reducing congestion and tackling greenhouse gas emissions.

“I believe and hope that this debate can be carried out showing mutual respect for opposing ideas and with the primary goal of serving the long-term needs of the city – there are no easy decisions to be made here, but given the consequences of inaction, we will have to find a way of coming together as a city and finding solutions.”

Consultation

The GCP first announced its proposals for a ‘Sustainable Travel Zone’ in Cambridge last year.

The scheme proposed a £5 weekday road charge between 7am and 7pm, with some exemptions and discounts.

Plans were then revised during summer to include 50 ‘free days’, a discount for small businesses, a discount for those on low incomes, and a change in operating hours.

The charge was expected to raise around £26 million a year to help fund an expanded and cheaper bus service, as well as improvements to cycling and walking routes.

Thousands of people responded to the public consultation on the proposals, with 58 percent opposing the measure. At the same time, 70 percent said they supported the proposed expanded bus network.

“Last year’s consultation told us many things,” said Councillor Elisa Meschini, Chair of the GCP.

“The public told us they needed more buses to more locations, with cheaper fares and longer operating times as well as better walking and cycling infrastructure to give them genuine alternatives to using the car.

“We also discovered how those on low incomes do not have the access to cars, how frustrated young people are by services which constantly let them down and how those in rural communities feel isolated by the lack of connectivity.

“However, we cannot escape the reality that the support for the [charge] was not there despite the amendments made to the scheme.

“We understand without the groundswell of public and political backing for the changes which were being proposed they could not be delivered effectively.”

Opposition

Last month, the ruling Labour group on the council voted to withdraw support for the congestion charge proposals, referencing the potential impact on low-income families.

This followed concerns raised by Liberal Democrats in Cambridgeshire, with the Conservative party already opposed to the measure.

Implementing schemes that restrict car use or charge motorists has become a highly politicised issue in the UK.

Last week the UK’s Prime Minister and Transport Secretary announced a new plan to protect drivers from what they described as “anti-car measures” such as reductions in speed limits, low traffic neighbourhoods and bus lanes.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also come under pressure over the recent expansion of the city’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

Along with protests from some residents and the vandalisation of ULEZ cameras, the expansion by the Labour mayor was also blamed for a shock by-election loss for the party in the borough of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in July – which prompted the UK’s Labour leader Keir Starmer to ask Khan to “reflect” on the policy.

Despite some backlash, the scheme has seen broad support from health charities, clean air campaigners and the World Health Organization.

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