Latest News

December 2024

We worked hard to present thorough evidence demonstrating that the GCP’s plans to carve a new busway through the Cambridgeshire countryside are not in the best interests of either local people or the environment. However, the proposal has been pushed forward regardless.

Despite strong advocacy from experts, leading organisations, and local people, the process has now moved to the next stage. An application for a Transport and Works Act Order has been submitted to central government, and our objection to it will trigger a public inquiry that will decide whether or not the project will proceed.

This inquiry represents our final opportunity to take a stand against this destructive development. We are proposing a viable alternative: a less damaging, more cost-effective route that uses existing transport corridors, meeting transport needs without causing irreparable harm to our countryside and wildlife.

To make our case effectively, we urgently need expert legal and specialist representation. Please consider supporting our final push to raise the funds required to secure this critical action. Every contribution makes a difference in our fight to protect our landscape and community.

You can also support the cause by putting your objections in writing to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR or via email to [email protected].  For more details about how to object please visit the Cambourne to Cambridge GCP page.

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Original Appeal

Act now to save Coton Orchard and protect the beautiful countryside on the western fringe of Cambridge from being built on.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership is proposing to improve journeys between Cambourne and Cambridge using funds from central government. They want to build a new bus road across the countryside between Hardwick and the edge of Cambridge with a giant car park next to the A428. 

The bus road would destroy Coton Orchard and its trees, and damage the landscape, views and other habitats. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are less damaging ways to improve bus services, such as providing a bus lane next to the A1303, and a coalition of organisations are campaigning for this. We agree there need to be improvements in public transport and active travel but this can be achieved without destroying nature and the countryside.

The organisations campaigning for a better solution are local charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future, Coton Parish Council, Coton Orchard, the National Trust, Coton Busway Action Group, Coton Loves Pollinators and Save the West Fields. 

You can find out more about the proposals and the campaign by clicking here or sign a petition www.change.org/SaveGreenCorridor

We are raising funds for the campaign to pay for independent experts to provide evidence for the less-damaging alternatives and to provide legal and professional advice to make your views heard at a public inquiry.

We set an initial fundraising target of £60,000, to enable us to start work and prepare for the inquiry. Thanks to amazing support we have reached that target and have started work appointing experts to helps us. Those donations are already helping the campaign to save the Coton Green Corridor and Coton Orchard.

However, the total costs of participating in the inquiry will be much higher, so we have started fundraising for the second stage, with a target of reaching £110,000 in total.

Please donate to support this campaign, every little really does help.

Your money will be ring-fenced [if we persuade local politicians not to go ahead with the bus road and there is no public inquiry, then we will return your donation].