The inquiry into the scheme opened in September and closed on November 21. Those opposing the busway used the last days of the inquiry to urge inspectors one last time to recommend that the project should not go ahead
Claire Elliott and Cambridgeshire Live readers
17:00, 25 Nov 2025
An inquiry has been taking place for the past two months into the C2C Busway project. (Stock image of existing Cambridge busway)(Image: Cambridge News)
The public inquiry into the Cambridge to Cambourne (C2C) Busway has concluded, and Cambridgeshire Live readers have joined the debate over the project. Supporters say the busway is “critically important” for the area, while critics argue an alternative on-road scheme could deliver similar benefits with less environmental impact.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) proposes a new busway from Cambourne to Cambridge via Bourn Airfield, Hardwick, Coton, and West Cambridge, with a parallel pedestrian and cycle path and a travel hub at Scotland Farm. The inquiry ran from September to 21 November.
Opponents, including Cambridge Past Present and Future and Coton Parish Council, urged inspectors to reject the off-road busway in favour of an on-road alternative. Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, also opposed the scheme.
Coton Orchard owner Anna Gazeley warned of threats to habitats for “hundreds of recorded species.” Rob Sadler added the busway would “sever” his farm.
Neil Cameron KC, for the county council, argued there are no viable alternatives and highlighted broad agreement on the need for reliable public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge. Esther Drabkin-Peiter, representing Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils, said the busway remains “critically important” for Cambridge’s future growth.
Inspectors will now make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who has the final decision on whether the C2C Busway proceeds.
Commenter Graham Appleby says: “I really can’t understand why anyone would oppose this idea. The existing busway for Cambridge to St Ives is successful, so why wouldn’t one out to Cambourne not be? Just get on with it!”
Robert Caldecoat agrees: “There’s no need for another outdated transport system. The one already in place was a costly waste of a perfectly serviceable railway line. All it needed was the river bridge at St Ives replaced so trains could run through March and on to Peterborough, which would have been far more useful for both passengers and freight.
”You can’t put trucks on a guided busway. The rigid concrete beams don’t last long on fen peat soil because they can’t flex, so they eventually need replacing. That means closing the busway and spending even more. The plan doesn’t stack up.”
He continues: “The East/West railway is a much better idea and it is already happening. The guideway feels like a waste of land and money, especially when there is already a perfectly good road serving Cambourne.”
Jackie Jones says: “They only have to look at the huge amounts of problems with the St Ives/Cambridge bus way to know it is a waste of money!”
Hugh Venables replies: “Or learn from it. This time it would be tarmac rather than concrete, and the cycle path could be properly separated from the start.”
Cursonturner is unhappy: “Let’s be honest: this project is just an expensive cycle lane in disguise. They’re not taking the farmland for buses, if transport mattered, they’d build a proper road. Guided Busways will crawl with cyclists, and Light Rail is no better. Pave the orchard, build a road for engines, and let cyclists use the bus.”
Kington writes: “Traffic between Cambridge and Cambourne has skyrocketed since Covid. I’d back a congestion charge, but if that’s off the table, this busway is more likely to happen than an on-road alternative.”
Campete2 replies: “The on-road routes already exist, and they go to many more places than just dumping people in the middle of West Cambridge and hoping they’ll manage to make it the rest of the way. And that’s the thing; if you want to improve public transport – which is absolutely necessary – then the C2C busway is completely useless. It’s so bad an idea that it’s the sort of thing that would be put forward by people desperate to discredit buses.”
Do you think the C2C Busway is the right solution for Cambridge, or should an on-road alternative be explored? Share your thoughts in the comments.
