Well, yet another consultation and this one of the last one planned before the Development Consent Order Process. We are informed that will start in the summer of 2027 for CS2 and CS3 with an expectation of getting approval from the Secretary of State for Transport some time at the start of 2029. General election year.
The CA team have been preparing documents for our response on different topics and intend to add them below as they become available. They all come under Q17 Other Feedback since the other consultation questions are about stations or are out of the Cambridge Approaches area.
Business Case Objection
Carbon Assessment Objection
If EWRCo. insist on taking their heavy railway to Cambridge here are two alternative routes. One much reduces the impact using a long tunnel the other increases the benefits and reduces the costs.
One of the key problems with the Southern Approach To Cambridge is to demonstration that it would have no impact on the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory. I have always thought this is a nigh on impossible problem unless you go for some serious tunnelling. As with the E&WW Barbastelles, EWRCo. also have to prove a negative which is a tough ask.
3 replies on “CA 2026 Consultation Response – Draft”
If there is any expertise and justice in National and Regional Government the this detailed analysis make the case completely for NOT going ahead with Phase 3. The University of Cambridge and other local landowners need to consider the legacy they leave for their Children and Grandchildren if the botched current route is proceeded with. There are many other routes that David Revell identified (seems a lifetime ago) that will still allow for failing Graylings decision for a southern route.
South Cambridgeshire and County council have “blood on their hands” on this farce. They are conflicted and perhaps even corrupt and corrupted but proving that suggestion is impossible because of the army of advisors there to protect.
Local land owners and farmers are rubbing their hands at the prospect of compensations even now being negotiated.
No wonder HS2 is such a shambles, this will happen unless as I wrote ages ago, locals really get their act together. I will not live to see the opening, my current take is that the machine has already spent £500m wearing down the local populous into defeat. Like it or not, you will get a railway that is of no benefit to you as locals.
With reference to the Escape Route from the tunnel at Highfields Caldecote, proposed via Peacock Drive, I would point out that Peacock Drive is totally unsuitable for multiple Emergency Services – Fire, Ambulance, Police – and Buses. It is a narrow residential street with many drives leading directly off it, cars parked on the road, and blind bends. If you need to exit through the Angel Park development, the other planned (phase 2) entrance to the estate would be more suitable, being straighter and with few or no drives directly off it. In addition, this part of the development is currently awaiting construction, allowing for possible flexibility.
Thank you for all your hard work – these documents are really impressive pieces of work and to anyone with a rational mind should be utterly compelling.