The Transport Secretary Mark Harper has supported calls for the Cambridge congestion charge plans to go “back to the drawing board”.
Thplan would see public transport improvements paid for by a £5 minimum daily charge for driving into or within Cambridge, but the majority of people oopposed the charge after a consultation earlier this year.
The BBC quotes Mr Harper as saying “significant changes” like a potential charge must have “proper consultation”.
Mr Harper told the BBC he supported calls for the GCP to go back to the “drawing board” with the plans.
He said: “I have always been very clear that significant changes to local transport policy, such as the proposed congestion charge in Cambridge, and the expansion of the ULEZ into Greater London, must be done in proper consultation with the public.
“The Lib Dems and Labour, who are pushing for these changes, must listen to local residents rather than choosing to pursue an ideological anti-car agenda.”
A member of the Greater Cambridge Partnership said people’s views were being listened to. Labour City Councillor Elisa Meschini also called for the government to give Cambridge proper funding which would “go a long way towards resolving” some issues.
Consultation findings showed that 70% of respondents were in favour of the proposed transport network improvements, but that 58% opposed the congestion charge.
(Map – Greater Cambridge Partnership)
