Home   News   Article Campaigners who argue an on-road option should be pursued instead of the £200million Cambourne to Cambridge busway have raised more than £100,000 to make their case at a public inquiry The group is hoping to raise £130,000 ahead of the inquiry which is expected to take place this summer will be used to employ a legal team and professional expert to represent them which owns some of the land affected and is leading the campaign told the Cambridge Independent: “In order to make the best case possible at the public inquiry we need to employ a legal team and professional experts that’s very expensive and we don’t have enough funds “Our legal team and experts have helped us to submit a strong objection and we are working on our Statement of Case we need more funds to pay for the inquiry costs and we are targeting £130,000.” charities and conservationists argue that an alternative on-road solution to the busway “would achieve the project’s objectives without causing environmental degradation” The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) plans to build the busway to improve journeys between the town and city with up to eight buses expected to run per hour and direct services to the West Cambridge site the city centre and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus It would also serve the new development at Bourn Airfield A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application was submitted to the Secretary of State by Cambridgeshire County Council as the transport authority for Cambridgeshire compulsorily purchase land owned by those who oppose the scheme A public inquiry will take place in the summer to hear the arguments for and against the busway scheme before the government decides whether to grant permission for its construction said: “There were over 300 formal objections to the Department of Transport against the plans to destroy the countryside to the west of Cambridge “The tragedy of the GCP’s approach is that if they had listened to local communities from 2014 by now a bus lane along Madingley Road would have been built Cambourne would have the better bus services they rightly want which have been protected by CPPF and the National Trust for over a hundred years I am so proud of the village of Coton and its friends that we have raised this much so far.” Enter your postcode to access information that is relevant to your area such as your bin collection schedule planning applications and local Councillor(s) Remember my postcode to enable 'in my area' the next time you visit our website. For more information on how we are storing your postcode please visit our cookies page The first heavy-duty planters - designed to better protect some of South Cambridgeshire’s cash machines from ram-raids - have been installed The idea is to install planters in front of ATMs considered vulnerable to try and deter the destructive robberies representatives of Cambourne Town Council and Co-op staff met outside Cambourne’s School Lane Co-Op this morning (Thursday 20 March) to see firsthand the four new planters – which have this week been filled with flowers by the Town Council The scheme has been organised on the ground by the South Cambs Community Safety Partnership and Cambourne Town Council are caring for the new plants as part of their Cambourne greening projects Following an increase in ram-raids with vehicles South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet last year agreed to allocate funding to better protect some ATMs The funding came from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is administered locally by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Other ATM sites in South Cambridgeshire will benefit from similar protection soon.  Many cash machines that are attacked get lifted out by a telehandler – a heavy-duty forklift widely used in farming – after a building is rammed by a vehicle South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Communities explained: “Cash machines are lifelines for communities providing convenient access to money – which is not always easy nowadays it not only disrupts this essential service but also causes significant financial loss and distress to local businesses and residents it puts the viability of precious ATMs at risk and can cause enormous damage to buildings Protecting these machines plays an important role in maintaining the stability and security of neighbourhoods." added: “I fully support this initiative to enhance the security of vulnerable ATM cash machines in our Town The installation of heavy-duty planters at Cambourne School Lane Co-Op is a proactive step in deterring destructive ram-raids ensuring continued access to essential banking services while also protecting our local businesses from significant structural damage I appreciate the collaboration between the Community Safety Partnership and other funding partners in bringing this to fruition Enhancing community safety and preserving critical services like ATMs is a priority and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this scheme in Cambourne and beyond.” District Cllr for Cambourne and Representative on the South Cambs Community Safety Partnership commented: “These planters are both attractive and practical It’s important to ensure communities can keep hold of their cash machines – and this scheme helps protect the shop at the same time I am looking forward to seeing planters like this in more locations in South Cambridgeshire.” Cambourne Town Cllr Fran Panrucker said: “We’re pleased to be working on this joint initiative – it’s another great example of partnership working A lot of people simply cannot travel a long way to get cash out – so this sort of local access is hugely important Cambourne Town Council has agreed to maintain the planters to keep the flowers looking nice throughout the year too.” added: “Thank you to all the partners who are working with us on this scheme Ram-raids are a problem for us in Cambridgeshire – but we want to keep providing ATM services for our communities so they can continue accessing their cash for free This scheme gives us the confidence to continue having ATMs in our stores.” There are ways that residents can help police anticipate and stop ATM cash machines being ram-raided If you have any information or concerns, report to Police online or call 101 commented: “Putting these planters in place and working with our partners to deter ram-raids and protect our communities Ram-raids on ATMs cause devastation and misery so this initiative showcases our commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in Cambridgeshire.” © South Cambridgeshire District Council 2025 A campaign group has begun a legal challenge to Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) proposed £200 million Cambourne to Cambridge (CtoC) busway GCP says the scheme will connect new and existing communities to the west of Cambridge with the city via the new Bourn Airfield development It submitted a Transport Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Department for Transport Present & Future (CPPF) has launched a challenge It argues that enhancing bus services alongside existing roads including providing a bus lane on Madingley Hill would achieve the project’s objectives without causing environmental degradation or disrupting agricultural activities The charity says the proposed scheme is intended to go through Coton Orchard (pictured above) and Madingley Hill areas renowned for their environmental significance He said: “The proposed new busway from Cambourne to Cambridge might make a small contribution to combatting the global climate crisis but it would be a great shame if this could only be achieved at the cost of making worse the biodiversity crisis which threatens the natural world as well “It is not in our long- or short-term interests to remove the mature trees of Coton Orchard and the irreplaceable habitats which exist in and around them said: “It is possible to improve bus services from Cambourne to Cambridge without building a road through four wildlife sites and our charity’s land “Over 22,200 people signed a petition asking local politicians to build bus lanes they have pushed ahead with their plans and we are submitting our objection to Government We will be faced with a huge legal bill to save nature and the countryside and we are appealing for donations to help.”  Visit  www.cambridgeppf.org/cambourne-cambridge-busway ​ © Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com) Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here 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visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Organisers are aiming for this year’s event to be bigger and better than ever By NOTICEBOARD · 7 March 2025 Entries are now open for the Cambridge Cambourne 10k and Fun Run set to take place at the Cambourne Business Park The Cambridge Cambourne 10k is a multi-terrain course which appeals to runners looking to take on the 10k distance organised by Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club (C&C) in partnership with Active Training World - ATW the Cambridge Cambourne Fun Run - approximately one mile (1.6km) - is ideal for younger runners or those not ready for the longer distance takes place mostly on the trails around Cambourne Cambridgeshire and is open to runners aged 15 years+ for the 10k and from five years (with accompanying adult) for the Fun Run with medals for all finishers and prizes for the fastest runners There will be water stations at 5k and at the finish said: “The Cambridge Cambourne 10k is a fantastic friendly event which welcomes able-bodied runners of all abilities We hope this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever raising vital funds for local athletics and other charities vital to the local area.” For more information including how to enter, please visit the website here LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} purpose-built space is being configured to provide an inspiring environment to help teams work together more easily when creating and developing new technologies and products for clients.The expanded facilities will allow 42T to accommodate larger more complex development projects entirely in-house such as the design of new production equipment and other manufacturing innovations that previously required off-site facilities It also means the company can now host all its innovation workshops and other large-scale client meetings on-site to help ensure even closer and more efficient collaborations and team working The image shows the reception area for 42T's new state-of-the-art facilities at Cambourne Park.   Cambridge Network Limited is a company registered in England under company No Website by KISS Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayogreatest hitscambridgeshirenewsCampaigner holds hope ahead of Cambourne to Cambridge busway inquiryIt comes as potential contract details for the busway have been released A campaigner is remaining hopeful plans for a busway between Cambourne and Cambridge don't go ahead Cambridgeshire County Council has issued details for a potential contractor to build the 8.7-mile busway which the authority has estimated at £168 million This comes as a public inquiry into the plans is due to start in September before a final decision by the Department for Transport is made Anna Gazeley's father bought Coton Orchard in the 1960s which lies directly in the path of the busway - she believes the campaign against the move continues "We're going to have to take our battles one at a time so we'll go into the inquiry and do our absolute best but that still isn't a guarantee even if we win it won't still go ahead," she said economical or practical sense to follow the route the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) are proposing." the county council estimated the contract for the busway would run from June this year - before the public inquiry - until the end of 2028 with a possible extension to May 2031 But the potential start date for that contract has since been moved to June 2026 A spokesperson for the GCP said under the Procurement Act 2023 “we are now obliged to make public details of all future potential contracts whether or not these are committed – the Cambourne to Cambridge scheme is just one of many "There is set to be a public inquiry later this year where a planning inspector will hear evidence before a decision is made by the Secretary of State for Transport as to whether the scheme proceeds "Any contract to construct the scheme will depend on that decision.” the University of Cambridge and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority - submitted a Transport and Works Act Order to the Government in order for the busway plans to be considered A spokesperson for the GCP has previously said the busway would "support both existing and growing communities - helping residents to get where they need to be." Ian Sollom - MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire which covers Cambourne - told Greatest Hits Radio that he supports better public transport to and from the town "Cambourne does need that high quality public transport connection; they've been waiting for this for a very long time so I want to see that delivered as soon as it possibly can be," he said "I do think the connectivity people need so we have those transport links are important and shouldn't be dismissed for an (area of) small A petition set up by environmental charity Cambridge Past Present and Future - which owns some of the land affected by the busway - won more than 23,000 signatures Anna has said she's not against the idea of improving public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge "What we're saying is stay on the road which for more than half of this route have a bus lane and carry on the path and that gives a lot more opportunities," she added tried and tested transport infrastructure and you can improve the road surface and these are completely separate from the busway The public inquiry is due to take place in September Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) Travellers have been ordered by bailiffs to leave sports pitches in Cambourne About a dozen vehicles parked up at the back of the pitches from about 2pm on Wednesday afternoon Some of the sports facilities in the area were closed for the afternoon by Cambourne Town Council and some training sessions were cancelled by clubs A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said: “Bailiffs attended and gave notice to leave by 7am this morning They didn’t and police powers were used this afternoon to instruct them to leave.” The spokesperson said the convoy was understood to be preparing to leave on Thursday afternoon The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has applied for a Transport and Work Act Order for the long-awaited new busway travel hub and path for walkers and cyclists The submission for the link between Cambourne and Cambridge follows four rounds of public consultation as well as extensive community and stakeholder engagement since 2015 GCP says the scheme will connect existing and new communities to the west of Cambridge with the city via the new Bourn Airfield development The new travel hub at Scotland Farm would be accessed from the A428 and enable car drivers to switch to a bus before they travel into the city said: “This follows many years of consultation and engagement on a project which we believe would give more travel choices easier and more reliable to get to where people need to go “The Department of Transport will look through the application and are highly likely to call for a public enquiry where interested parties will be able to present their views on the submission.” The DfT will review any objections or representations received and likely call for a public inquiry sometime in 2025 Voters will go to the polls tomorrow (Thursday 1 May) to elect councillors to Cambridgeshire County Council The authority is currently controlled by a coalition of Liberal Democrat Labour and Independent councillors after the Conservatives lost control of the council at the elections in 2021 The county council is responsible for delivering a number of services including The Liberal Democrats are currently the largest party with 23 councillors followed by the Conservatives with 21 councillors Labour has 10 councillors and there are two independent councillors Read their answers - listed in alphabetical order by party - to help you decide how you should cast your vote Why should readers vote for your candidates the Labour and Liberal Democrat alliance has made a mess of Cambridge city profligate spending and lack of highways maintenance Voting Conservative will prioritise highways cycleways and pavement maintenance ahead of vanity projects How would you balance the books while maintaining services The Conservatives have a track record of efficiency and delivering value for money It is important that when a councillor decides to spend money they remember it is the hard-earned cash of a resident they represent Conservatives hate waste and were appalled to see all of the efficiencies such as shared services dismantled over the last four years the current Labour and Liberal Democrat partnership running the county council has recently pulled out of the learning disability partnership increasing costs and resulting in poorer outcomes for vulnerable residents What should we do to keep the county moving Are you in favour of the GCP busway schemes The Conservatives are working hard as a team not just to serve the public on the county council but to elect Paul Bristow as the mayor as well This will give us united ability to back the forward-thinking light rail proposal for Cambridge city and its environs increased taxation and penalising of motorists How will you approach the transition to a unitary authority or authorities in the county This Labour enforced reformation is being driven at the wrong speed to achieve the best outcomes we acknowledge it has to be done and can recognise some advantages it is important we hear the voice of the people and businesses to formulate the best plan possible in the time allocated As Conservatives we understand some costs can be lowered but it is vital that does not come with the lowering of services our residents enjoy that can respond to local needs you get local community councillors who work for the community We listen and work harder to make better decisions for residents and local communities We’ll continue to call out all the cruel cuts imposed by the government on the most vulnerable members of our community and work to preserve our natural world at the local level We’ll also refuse to play the growth game and will continue to press for more realism about our limited natural resources and housing shortage My experience of running a much-loved local business helps me stay grounded I will look after public finances with the same respect and care that I show for my own money and seek out opportunities to collaborate with other councils on sharing costs I will stand firm against large vanity projects that offer poor value and lobby central government to remove restrictive national rules that make local councils less efficient I will also press for an updated public report and independent professional advice on the This Land and Shire Hall losses We also need to do less harm to the local economy I’ll push for the county council to be more active in managing road works to keep local businesses working and see council highways work brought under control of the council instead of contracted out We all want better public transport across the county but I cannot support the Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) busway proposal which combines appalling waste of public money with environmental vandalism It’s not just the damage to Coton Orchard; the C2C busway doesn’t even link to major schools or employment sites and discharges into an already congested residential area without easy onward connections I cannot support the Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) busway either because it offers poor value for money and damages the environment In the short term we need quick wins such as smart ticketing breakfast clubs for schools and flexi-time for employees In the medium term we need a wider range of bus sizes and on-road bus routes to provide an effective service for everyone the new councils will have fewer powers than the current unitary councils with many of their current powers concentrated at mayoral level Council mergers will cost our region an estimated £18million according to county council CEO Stephen Moir With no financial help from central government that is going to hit jobs and services hard We will aim to reduce the financial damage caused by the reorganisation and in particular will petition the government to terminate the Greater Cambridge Partnership close down the Cambridge Growth Company and Police and Crime Commissioners’ Office and transfer remaining Labour holds the balance of power on the county council putting our policies at the heart of the county’s programme This means free school meals for our children who need them We have invested record sums in frontline services: education We are building a social care service fit for the future We are making it easy and safe to travel around the county We are breaking down the barriers that hold young people back supported arts and sports programmes for children and started rolling out free breakfast clubs We are putting the heart back into communities We are combating climate change and protecting residents from flooding and damaged roads We’ve achieved all this with 10 councillors That’s why we chose pro-active candidates who will make a real difference for their communities Labour has maintained high levels of services based on sound budgeting despite savage cuts by the previous Conservative government The Labour government is bringing in multi-year deals meaning we can plan ahead and spend efficiently We will lobby the government for a fairer funding formula that properly recognises population growth We will bring more services in-house to manage spending and to continue focusing on services for the most vulnerable We will implement better contract management for higher value for money for residents We will live within our means and seek quick returns on investment Our fast-growing county requires strategic thinking about transport to deliver reliable services that work for residents in urban centres and in more rural parishes We’ve secured record funding for road maintenance and with the Labour government promising more money for councils that mend roads fast We will get away from the poor value contracts left by the Conservatives I am proud of the busway schemes as they bring faster more reliable and sustainable public transport along with dedicated cycling and walking paths The existing busway is already the most highly used piece of public transport infrastructure in the county Busway investment goes together with our mayoral candidate’s plan to run franchised bus routes so everyone can travel at the times they want It’s currently difficult for residents to know which council is responsible for what No wonder when half of county councillors are also district councillors We will embrace the government's ambition to simplify local government and to give back control of more services We will work with ministers and our communities to identify the most practical unitary model and we will implement the resulting proposals without fuss Our manifesto: cambridgelabour.org.uk/2025-manifesto/ If you want to elect strong local champions who put people and places first and will fight for a fair deal for every part of Cambridgeshire it’s got to be the Liberal Democrats—not least because we are the challengers to the Conservatives across the county The new county council will need to fix the results of years of Conservative cuts and mismanagement while facing a further cash squeeze from the Labour government Liberal Democrats have a strong record of running councils well Cambridgeshire makes an amazing global contribution to our economy from health and biotech to manufacturing and food production But it can only continue to do that if it is a healthy and happy place to live Fixing the crisis in the health and care system is a top priority for Liberal Democrats Councils like Cambridgeshire that have responsibility for social care face special cost pressures but we can be trusted to work hard to improve care services locally Travel and transport come up time and time again on doorsteps Liberal Democrats will continue to do what we can to repair our rapidly collapsing road network left in a dire state after years of Conservative neglect And we’ll need to press the Government hard for extra funding to address the scale of the problem and good public transport across the whole of the county to address gridlock in Cambridge and isolation for many in our rural areas without access to a car Bus services are vital for people to reach schools Busways are a major part of the transport plan for the area around Cambridge We need to build a consensus on what a transport system for the future should look like working as a coherent whole and including not only better bus services across the whole of Cambridgeshire but a mass transit system for Cambridge and its travel to work area that is fit for the future the Labour government is throwing councils an additional challenge insisting on changes in council boundaries and responsibilities larger councils doing the jobs of both district and county councils These new ‘unitary’ councils will need to be large enough to manage the financial risks of social care and maintaining our roads but also local enough for residents to feel that their council is truly theirs and really does reflect the place where they live We would not have chosen to have to focus on reorganising local government when the practical needs of our communities are so great and the costs so challenging But we will work together and with partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and consult local people to try to find the right outcome for our area and its residents community and country before their own political party it is time to give Reform a chance rather than the legacy politicians that have let us all down Allow successful local people to put your priorities first rather than the wasteful spending we have seen Local councils should be about common sense and investing tax payers money into front line services Reform’s top five priorities for Cambridgeshire: Law-abiding people should be able to live without fear We will recruit dozens more community officers and reclaim our streets We will hold failing police forces to account We need to be building an environment to support small businesses No more £200,000 salaries for incompetent bosses Stop rip-off charges from private contractors and agencies A Reform-run council will make less money go further Potholes are dangerous and should be dealt with in a quick and cost efficient manner Your Reform council will get this crisis under control Too often local people to to the back of the queue We will fight against government rules and put local people at the front of the queue There is so much waste in local government it is because we have career politicians making the big decisions rather than people from a business background You only have to look at the Labour government to see everything that is wrong with our political class We have seen the liberals squandering our council financial situation where so many services are broken but we have some great multi-million pound vanity projects appearing around the county whilst our roads crumble away Cambridgeshire Council is wasting over £130,000 a year on translation services Council tax has gone up by 25 per cent in the last five years and shows no signs of slowing down under the other parties We need to bring in a new mindset rather than taking more money out the pockets of hardworking residents We have seen the Labour party and the Conservatives work together to cancel elections across the UK We have councillors that will get seven-year terms now While the two failed parties are terrified of the rise of Reform cancelling elections the way they have is the behaviour of dictators At the same time we as a party believe less politicians and high paid civil servants is a good thing These changes should be put to the people to reset the balance If you want change on 1 May in Cambridgeshire Voters heading to the polls on 1 May will also have the chance in some divisions to vote for Independent councillors They currently play an important role on the county council as Independents form part of the coalition – with Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors – running the council David Carmona is standing as an Independent candidate in the King’s Hedges division Guy Lachlan will stand as an Independent in Cambourne and Mark Howell will stand in Papworth and Swavesey There are no independents standing for the county council within divisions in East Cambridgeshire Independents standing include Tom Sanderson in Huntingdon West Kevin Reynolds in St Ives South and Needingworth Bev White will stand for the Party of Women in St Neots The Eatons Independents standing include Dal Roy in March North and Waldersey and Barry Wainwright in Whittlesey South Campaigners are urging councillors to consider whether backing a “disastrous” £200million off-road busway is in the best interests of the communities they serve The Coton Busway Action Group argue that significant changes - including the government’s support for East West Rail which includes a Cambourne station - make it “irresponsible” for the Cambourne to Cambridge busway to be approved without re-examination The group also believes a shortfall in funding for the project is “inevitable” and say this makes it a “serious financial and political risk” “We remain in full support of the development of much-needed infrastructure and better transport links from the west of Cambridge into the city and other key destinations But the evidence is clear: the GCP’s proposed off-road scheme would be disastrous and more effective on-road option,” the letter states It continues: “One significant change is the new government’s commitment to East West Rail (EWR) This development substantively alters the transport rationale and the business case for C2C “Another fresh development is the proposed new service reservoir at Madingley This vital component in the plan to ensure water supply meets growing demand lies exactly on the proposed C2C route “A major shortfall in funding for C2C is inevitable – and the county council will be liable together with the existence of competing major infrastructure schemes several millions of pounds for yearly maintenance and questions about the ability of bus companies to provide an appropriate level of service makes this project a serious financial and political risk we are not against buses or infrastructure schemes but are deeply concerned for the responsible handling of public money Cambridgeshire County Council will decide on Tuesday (11 February) if it still backs the proposals which have been put forward by the Greater Cambridge Partnership The GCP plans to build the busway to improve journeys between the town and city But campaigners are arguing for an alternative which would “improve public transport and cycling but avoid unnecessary destruction to an important green corridor and historic orchard” A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application was submitted to the Secretary of State by the county council It will give the council powers to compulsorily purchase land owned by those who oppose the scheme The period for objections to the order closed on 8 January A public inquiry has now been announced - although a date has yet to be set - and the council is required to confirm its resolution to submit the TWAO application ahead of this The inquiry is likely to start in the summer and last approximately six weeks which is made up of representatives from the county council businesses and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority also plans to build a new travel hub at Scotland Farm off the A428 which includes the Coton Busway Action Group is asking for donations to fund their legal case and professional representation at the inquiry The coalition trying to save the green corridor and Coton Orchard includes Cambridge Past Coton Loves Pollinators and the Sadler family Objections have also been submitted by the Wildlife Trust for Beds A GCP spokesperson said: “The Cambourne to Cambridge application submitted to the Department of Transport is consistent with the one approved in March 2023 The necessary assessments have been undertaken and all these issues will be considered along with other submissions by a Planning Inspector at a planning inquiry Vital information ahead of the Cambourne to Cambridge TWAO vote At the Full Council Meeting on Tuesday 11th February (Agenda Item 6 (d)) you will be asked to vote to confirm the submission of the Cambridge to Cambourne (C2C) TWAO The proposal was approved at a Council meeting in March 2023 but there have been material changes to both the proposal and to the circumstances since then We are therefore writing to suggest that you take a few moments to acquaint yourself with some of the significant issues that have arisen and to consider whether approving confirmation of this submission would be in the best interests of the Council and all the communities it serves We remain in full support of the development of much-needed infrastructure and better transport links from the west of Cambridge into the city and other key destinations - The document originally approved by the Council in March 2023 was only a draft The final submission in November 2024 differs in key respects and circumstances have changed significantly in the intervening 20 months It will therefore be irresponsible for the Council to confer approval without serious re-examination - One significant change is the new Government’s commitment to East West Rail (EWR) - Another fresh development is the proposed new service Reservoir at Madingley - A major shortfall in funding for C2C is inevitable – and the County Council will be liable - Media interest in C2C and the campaign to Save Coton Orchard continues to escalate This and other GCP transport projects are coming under heightened public scrutiny - Further proof of the exceptional biodiversity in Coton Orchard and Tree Preservation Orders on some of its trees both add further legal and environmental considerations - Local elections on 1 May will be critical voters are looking to Councillors to demonstrate careful intelligent stewardship of public funds and responsiveness to evolving circumstances The underlying detail on these issues, and the on-road alternative, can be found on our website We appreciate that time and attention is scarce but we hope you’ll find this summary helpful and give it due consideration If you would like to discuss any of these issues with us do get in touch via email: emailcbag@gmail.com A protection order has been granted for 12 Bramley apple trees in Coton Orchard threatened by plans for a new busway The provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) grants extra protection to the trees but could be overridden if approval is granted for the Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) busway South Cambridgeshire District Council officers had previously used their delegated powers to reject a provisional TPO for the trees, as reported this latest application was heard by the council’s planning committee at the request of Cllr Heather Williams Those calling for the TPO highlighted the importance of the trees to the environment and biodiversity in the area as well as pointing out their recognition as veteran trees by the Woodland Trust The trees are in the route of the proposed C2C busway a project put together by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application for permission to build the busway was submitted to the Department for Transport last year The scheme has faced backlash over the years particularly around the plans to build the off-road busway through Coton Orchard Some people have argued that an on-road option along Madingley Road should be pursued instead Council officers had recommended the TPO was not granted as it could be “overruled” if permission for the busway was granted It was suggested that the protection and future security of the apple trees and wider site could be “better advanced through consultation on the precise alignment of the guided busway route through the orchard in an attempt to save the best trees from destruction” told a planning meeting on Wednesday (15 January) that the idea of not granting a protection order because of something that might happen in the future would mean no TPOs would ever be granted The Mordens) said she hoped councillors would want “to do everything they could to protect these ancient trees and the wildlife and biodiversity that stems from it” argued it was “illogical” to refuse to protect something because it was at risk She also said that it was “not accurate” to assume the busway was “inevitable” and argued it was “far from a done deal” highlighting opposition to the plans from people who are “actively challenging the proposal” Ms Gazeley said: “While it is true that a TPO alone cannot guarantee the trees survival it is a vital tool in the arsenal for protecting them “To refuse to protect something simply because it may still face risk is illogical “The loss of these trees would have a significant impact on both the local environment and biodiversity at a global level “These trees support a delicate ecosystem including species listed as globally threatened removing them would contribute to the erosion of biodiversity and undermine the ecological health of the region.” Ms Gazeley said the TPO may not be the only solution to saving the trees but said the protection order would be a “critical step towards ensuring these trees are preserved for generations to come” Histon & Impington) asked if Ms Gazeley would object to the trees being taken up and planted elsewhere in the orchard Ms Gazeley said the trees could not simply be dug up and planted elsewhere as she said they would “just die” She said that the age of the trees made them fragile and explained that they also had a “complex rooting system” that meant they could not “just scoop one out” Shelford) said he would consider the application “purely on the merits of the trees” He recognised the “enormous value” of the trees to people in the area and the fact the trees qualified for protection Cllr Fane said it was “quite clear” to him that the committee should grant the protection order Whittlesford) said he “could not agree more” with what Cllr Fane had said He highlighted that the order would also offer extra protection to the trees not in the direct line of the proposed busway we have established the TPO will remain even if the busway goes ahead “There is a risk to the other trees because they could be damaged in construction of the busway and serving the TPO would be a way of protecting those other trees should it go ahead.” Cllr Cahn said he was “a bit torn” as he understood the officer’s argument but recognised the trees are also at risk and said a TPO would help the impact of the busway on the trees to be taken into account in any public inquiry The majority of the planning committee ultimately agreed to grant the provisional TPO for the 12 trees Home   What's On   Article There was no mistaking the occasion as Cambourne hosted its 10th annual Holi Festival of Colours a charity focused on fostering community cohesion the free event has become Cambridgeshire’s largest open-air Holi celebration It was held on Saturday (15 March) at the Great Cambourne Cricket Pavilion and welcomed residents and visitors alike to a festival packed with colour the organisers consult the weather forecast in the hope of picking a day when attendees can enjoy sunny dry weather while playing with powder paint colours – and thankfully Holi is a Hindu festival signifying a time of rebirth and rejuvenation followed by the much-anticipated colour fight Free colours were provided to all attendees thanks to the sponsorship of Cambridge’s Urban Chai allowing CamCareUK to continue the tradition of making the festival accessible to everyone There was a surprise in store for visitors when the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire saying: “The role of the High Sheriff is to represent the King in this county I would like to give the High Sheriff Award to a very special person.” He presented the High Sheriff Award Certificate to Shrobona Bhattacharya in recognition of her tireless work for the community in Cambridgeshire and beyond CamCareUK also recognised its 39 dedicated volunteers who worked for the community from over the last year a Holi celebration was also held in Waterbeach Updated plans for East West Rail have been revealed as a fresh consultation gets under way - and they include two tunnels to reduce the line’s environmental impact upgrades in Cambridge and plans for a turnback facility The proposals also confirm the East West Railway Company’s preference for green traction power in the form of discontinuous electrification meaning it would use hybrid battery-electric trains And the update comes as the government forecasts that the line will boost the economy by £6.7billion per year by 2050 the new station at Cambourne will be located to the north of the town the station is expected to lead to further housing growth in Cambourne East West Railway Company (EWR Co) still favours a southern route into Cambridge linking to the under-construction Cambridge South station at Cambridge Biomedical Campus It is now proposed that a ‘cut and cover’ tunnel will be built beneath the A428 Bourn Airfield development and Highfields Road with a temporary diversion of the A428 and other local roads And after an outcry over the impact on villages on the route a tunnel is also proposed through Chapel Hill to reduce the visual and environmental impact of the line EWR Co says this will prevent the need to construct a very large cutting which would have required significant construction works and may have affected the flight paths of Barbastelle bats living in the area Two new railway tracks will be laid beside the West Anglia Main Line from Shepreth Junction to Cambridge’s main station footbridges and building upgrades are envisaged to accommodate four new passenger trains per hour A turnback facility at Cherry Hinton is proposed to reduce the impact on Cambridge’s main railway station and avoid disruptive works there This would mean passengers would alight at Cambridge station and trains continue east to Cherry Hinton to turn around And EWR Co has also confirmed the hours of operation for trains It anticipates that passenger services will run between 6am and midnight from Monday to Thursday David Hughes, CEO of EWR Co easier and more reliable journeys to Cambridge - particularly from Bedford and Cambourne – which will improve access to jobs “The railway will support Cambridge’s renowned life sciences and innovation sectors by helping to remove constraints to economic growth in the city while enabling more affordable places to live “This is why I’m excited to present our updated proposals which include electrification to reflect our commitment to running a net zero carbon railway upgrades to Cambridge station and new tunnels to reduce the visual impact of the railway “Local authorities and businesses have been calling for this railway for three decades. Our revised plans aim to maximise the benefits of the project and have been influenced by the huge number of conversations we’ve had with local people and businesses, and thousands of responses we have had to our last public consultation “I encourage people to read our updated proposals in this consultation attend one of the public events across the route and share your views to help us refine our designs further so East West Rail can best serve its local communities.” A 10-week non-statutory consultation begins today (Thursday This is the third non-statutory public consultation further technical design work and the government’s confirmation in last month’s Budget that it was supporting the delivery of East West Rail in full who is visiting the new-look Bletchley station on the route today said: “East West Rail will boost access to education and business opportunities while unlocking economic growth and productivity right across the region including Cambridge’s world-leading life science cluster passengers can get ready for more frequent faster and greener journeys through an electrified line demonstrating our drive to deliver infrastructure that is truly fit for the future “This consultation marks a significant moment for the project offering the public an exciting opportunity to shape the development of this transformational line I encourage local residents and businesses to get involved and have their say.” The line will run from Oxford via Milton Keynes with the passenger services due to start in 2025 along the first stage between Oxford and Bletchley where all track has been laid and line testing is under way The first test train successfully completed a run between Oxford and Milton Keynes last month Essential improvement works are also planned to the existing railway between Oxford and Bedford The new proposals include environmental improvements designed to help EWR Co meet its commitment to deliver a biodiversity net gain of 10 per cent across the route there has been some progress towards this already with 20 ecological compensation sites created between Bicester in Oxfordshire and Bletchley in Buckinghamshire more than 70 bat boxes and planting of more than 150,000 plants and trees have bolstered biodiversity Why has discontinuous electrification been chosen There was widespread dismay when it was initially suggested that diesel trains might be needed on East West Rail, with politicians - including Cambridge’s Labour MP Daniel Zeichner and South Cambridgeshire’s former Conservative MP Anthony Browne - arguing that was unacceptable Diesel trains are due to be phased out across the country by 2040 Now EWR Co says it plans a form of green traction power that uses hybrid battery-electric trains These will bring environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions but mean overhead lines would only need to be installed along some sections of the route with the trains switching to battery power outside these areas This move will cut disruption during construction reduce the visual impact in more sensitive locations cost less than full electrification and reduce the need to alter current structures EWR Co has always favoured a southern approach into Cambridge despite opposition from some communities along the route and arguments that Northstowe could be served if a northern route was taken The key reason for this is economical: EWR Co points to there being three times as many jobs within walking distance of the under-construction Cambridge South station The biomedical campus - the leading biomedical site in Europe - is now the city’s largest employment site the Rosie and Royal Papworth hospitals and multiple research facilities with new cancer research and children’s hospitals planned and southern extension on the cards to accommodate the growing demand from the life science sector for space The consultation documents can be viewed online at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024 A consultation feedback form can also be found on this site for people to share their views Supporting documents on the website include: with further information about how EWR Co has developed the designs; - an environmental update report; with preliminary information about the likely effects of the proposals which show the proposed route alignment and features the land that would be required for the project and illustrations of what some of the main features of the railway could look like The non-statutory consultation will gather feedback on the early designs including areas where EWR Co is still considering its options The consultation will run for 10 weeks from 14 November 2024 to 24 January 2025 A series of public drop-in and online events are being held offering a chance to meet the EWR Co team and ask questions 2024 - https://tinyurl.com/2y34z2n3 - 6-8pm 2024 - https://shorturl.at/436Ib - 10am-12pm Email contact@eastwestrail.co.uk to reach EWR Co’s helpdesk Life Science REIT has let 17,200 sq ft to 42 Technology (42T) at Building 1020 at Cambourne Park Science & Technology Campus in Cambridge The product design and innovation consultancy which delivers specialist technical solutions in the healthcare and life sciences is upsizing from existing premises elsewhere in Cambridge which it intends to partially convert to lab space director of asset management at Ironstone Asset Management said: “Our plans to reposition Cambourne Park as a science and technology destination are now bearing fruit The addition of innovative businesses like 42T is building a critical mass of life science and technology businesses which is key to attracting new occupiers to the park We continue to be encouraged by the level of interest we are seeing here and across the wider portfolio.” added: “This move marks a significant and exciting milestone for 42T as we continue to expand To achieve our ambitious growth targets across our five focus areas – life sciences energy and industrial – we need a workspace that is both flexible and inspiring “Cambourne Park provides best in class facilities in a prime location We look forward to being part of the growing community here and contributing to the success of this dynamic site.” Don’t miss our top stories and need to know news every day in your inbox delivered straight to your inbox – for FREE BE News is the only free-to-air online news service to cover the entire built environment industry its mission is to connect and inform the whole community – spanning commercial property planning and engineering – via one platform WEBSITE DESIGNED & BUILT BY WHITE LABEL Please register (for free) below or login to continue reading Councillors have confirmed their commitment to two controversial off-road busways and agreed to tackle “doubt and disagreement” in the schemes by sharing congestion data Highways authority Cambridgeshire County Council agreed yesterday (Tuesday 11 February) that it still backs the proposals for the Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) and Cambridge South East Transport (CSET) busways Members also backed an amendment which commits the council to undertaking and producing a survey on the level of congestion and average travel times on the key roads which the C2C and CSET busways seek to avoid through off-road solutions It also commits the council to outline the potential for future growth in traffic on these roads Hardwick) said that although the busways have the potential to bring “significant benefits” to communities they have also attracted “significant local and national opposition” alternative alignments involving on-road bus lanes have been proposed by local charities and parish councils,” he said Cllr Atkins added: “The GCP has looked at versions of these alternatives and concluded that because of the level of current and future traffic on these major roads the alternatives would not bring the same level of benefits nor sufficient support for satellite communities and therefore the off-road routes have remained “These conclusions have not been accepted by local residents that refinements and improvements through the alternative alignments have not been properly considered and have doubts in the methodology for assessing journey times and the current level of congestion I seek to tackle a major element of doubt and disagreement in the scheme namely an accurate picture of the current congestion on key roads such as the A1303 and A1307 and the sense of how this might change in the future which is ultimately the justification for the off-road alignments of these two bus roads.” Conservative opposition leader Cllr Steve Count added: “I support this amendment because information can never be a bad thing and this is seeking information to supplement the short He noted that the GCP has considered this in its submissions but said this would help the council “to bring a level of common understanding of the facts to this debate” A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application for C2C was submitted to the Secretary of State in November A public inquiry for C2C has now been announced – although a date has yet to be set – and the council is required to confirm its resolution to submit the TWAO application ahead of this which the GCP says will provide “fast and frequent bus journeys” to Cambridge Biomedical Campus An inquiry is also likely to be called for CSET meaning the council will also be required to confirm that decision A total of 35 councillors backed continuing with the schemes and 18 voted against Pupils at Cambourne Village College are celebrating well-deserved success today in their GCSEs with the school recording another strong set of results such as the outcomes of disadvantaged pupils were a point of particular pride for the school reflecting the hard work of young people and the staff who teach and work with them New principal Lynn Mayes said: “I am immensely proud of our pupils who have received excellent grades again this year These results are a true reflection of how much work they and our fantastic team of staff have put in.” Many pupils achieved exceptionally high results with eight pupils amassing 53 grade 9s between them and 33 pupils awarded eight or more grades 7 or above Head prefect Abdullah Khan secured nine grade 9s and said he was thankful for being helped to achieve the best results he could “I will look back fondly at my years at Cambourne as a time filled with growth and happy memories,” he said the school is also proud of its pupils’ strong progress Particularly noteworthy are the nine pupils who outstripped expectations based on their primary school results by an average of two grades higher in each of their subjects outperforming by an average of three grades higher in each subject Aliesha said: “I feel completely overwhelmed today uplifted by the tremendous support of my teachers throughout the years - thank you so and giving me all I’ve needed at Cambourne Village College.” Opinion | Anna Gazeley, whose family own and run Coton Orchard, established in 1922, questions whether the Cambourne to Cambridge busway is needed in light of the government’s backing for East West Rail Cambridgeshire County Council will be asked to ‘confirm’ in a resolution its support for the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) designed off-road Cambourne to Cambridge busway—a scheme first approved by councillors in March 2023 and it has made crystal clear that East West Rail is happening it will connect Cambourne and Cambridge by rail making the GCP’s £200m+ busway redundant before a single tree is felled seemingly unfazed by the reality that this project is unnecessary they won’t just be backing an obsolete scheme - they’ll be burying the county (and taxpayers) in a financial sinkhole so vast it might qualify as a new geological feature Or is that just the planned Madingley Hill reservoir part of the region’s vital water security strategy which the GCP busway is now set to run straight over It’s a cautionary tale of how unelected quangos continue to push grandiose infrastructure projects long after they’ve been overtaken by events left with no real means to hold them accountable If the country is ever to get serious about infrastructure spending perhaps we should start by ensuring projects solve a problem that still exists by the time they’re built that it wouldn’t be ‘green’ even if powered by unicorn tears and it’s only gotten worse—now it’s an astoundingly expensive who hit a teenage push-scooter rider in a collision that “brought a stop” to the victim’s childhood tried to cover his tracks by setting the car on fire was seen driving his silver Audi A4 at “excessive speed” in Back Lane Marshall-McIntosh sped away while the boy was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a life threatening condition the fire service informed officers they had found the Audi A4 on fire just off Highfields Road Marshall-McIntosh handed himself in at Parkside police station at about 9.20am the following morning (Wednesday was jailed for one year and 11 months today (Friday having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing serious injury by careless driving and perverting the course of justice He was also disqualified from driving for five years and four months said: “The effect the collision has had on my life is huge high achieving 15-year-old with my whole life ahead of me “This collision has brought a stop to my childhood and youth.” of the BCH Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) said: “Marshall-Mcintosh’s driving and behaviour on the night was absolutely appalling “He knew he had struck and seriously injured a child in a completely avoidable collision caused solely by the poor manner of his driving He then selfishly fled the scene and tried to cover up what he had done by taking his car to a remote area in Caldicote and setting it on fire “Thankfully we managed to quickly identify him as the driver which led to him handing himself into police the next day “This collision has left an innocent 15-year-old boy with life changing injuries; I hope he and his family can take some justice from today’s sentence “We will not tolerate such appalling behaviour on our roads and I hope this sentence highlights our commitment to pursuing justice for those seriously injured on our roads.” Students at the Camborne School of Mines are celebrating a golden achievement after they secured double victories in an international competition focusing on heritage mining techniques of yesteryear Both the Men’s and Women’s teams representing CSM secured their respective overall titles at the 47th Intercollegiate International Mining Games It is the first time a CSM Women’s side has won the competition while the Men retained the title they last won in 2018 It capped a celebratory ‘home games’ for CSM which drew 45 teams from countries including the United States of America The Women’s team won two of their seven individual events and secured three more second-placed finishes to earn the overall title ahead of Montana Tech “We are incredibly proud of all the students who competed this weekend placing first in their divisions,” said Women’s team captain and that is a testament to the way we’ve balanced training and studying throughout the year And we’re already looking forward to defending our title in Arizona next year!” The Men’s side won three of their events to see off the challenge of Western Australian School of Mines at Curtin University Captain Lewis Andrews said: “I had the honour of leading a strong and motivated team of six and the hard work from all of them made this victory possible Returning the Men’s trophy to CSM for the first time since 2018 is a moment I’ll never forget.” The International Mining Games first took place in 1978 to honour the 91 miners who died in the Sunshine Mine disaster of 1972 in Idaho and to remember miners who have since perished in the line of duty The competition aims to celebrate traditional mining techniques This year’s event was also a special celebration for Cornwall as the Games were hosted at the King Edward Mine Museum in Camborne – CSM’s home from 1897-2004 “It was a privilege to welcome 270 competitors across Men’s Co-Ed and Alumni divisions to Camborne for the 47th Intercollegiate Mining Games,” said this year’s President we were fortunate enough to welcome well over 500 people to the competition grounds with the weather proving no deterrent to supporters who travelled from afar to cheer on their teams “It was a brilliant effort from all of the CSM teams and for both our Women’s and Men’s sides to bring home the overall trophies is a credit to all their hard work this year.” The four student CSM teams all benefitted from sponsorship with Padley and Venables supporting the Camborne Men’s A and Women’s teams while Barminco-Perenti and Vault Minerals each sponsored a Camborne Co-Ed team Other sponsors of the Games included Cornish Metals The Camborne School of Mines is part of the University of Exeter, based at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. To learn more about the Camborne School of Mines and its world-class programmes, visit the webpage View full archives Students at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) are making their final preparations before competing against a global field in a series of challenges and events that draw on traditional mining techniques of yesteryear Forty teams – including those from the world-renowned CSM – are set to pit their wits and skills against each other at the 47th Intercollegiate International Mining Games this weekend will compete in seven demanding events that revive and celebrate the true essence of the industrial heritage of mining four CSM student teams will compete at the games They hope to emulate the success of those in 2024 when the Women’s side finished second overall This year’s event will be a special celebration for Cornwall as the Games are hosted by CSM and held at the King Edward Mine Museum in Camborne – the School’s former home from 1897-2004 said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this year’s International Mining Games for the third time we welcome a record number of teams from mining schools worldwide to Cornwall for this historic event “These students represent the future of the global mining industry at a time when the industry has never been so important in shaping the energy transition Here they will be showcasing their practical mining skills in a spirit of friendly yet intense competition I wish all the teams the best of luck and look forward to an event filled with excitement and skill.” and to remember miners that have since perished in the line of duty The competition aims to keep alive traditional mining techniques many of which were originally developed in Cornwall The competition has evolved and offers talent scouting opportunities for mining companies and companies in related sectors and a chance to bring together mining students across international borders Women’s team captain Emma Parkin said: “We are incredibly proud of all our CSM students participating in the mining games this year and the hard work they’ve put in preparing themselves and the grounds for competition “We are pleased to have been able to enter four teams to our home games and can’t wait to see their dedication pay off with some fantastic results this week the captains are very grateful to the students who have dedicated a huge portion of their spare time to training preparation and organisation for the event alongside their studies The students are very much looking forward to welcoming international students from around the world to Cornwall and excited to share our CSM traditions whilst learning others.” The event requires significant coordination and sponsorship and this year’s President is CSM alumnus Joseph McCarthy who has orchestrated the event with support from Emma as his Vice-President and global and local sponsors Joseph said: “The mining games is a unique opportunity for students studying any of the CSM courses and we are very excited to welcome friends and colleagues from around the world to Camborne this year “The students have come together this year to organise the games with every logistic managed entirely by the students alongside their studies The mining games are a jewel in the crown for CSM and it has been a privilege to be in charge of the team We can’t wait to share our passion and celebrate the hard work we have invested into this event together.” The four student CSM teams are benefiting from sponsorship while Barminco-Perenti and Vault each sponsor a Camborne Co-Ed team CSM Cousin Jacks and Anchored by Britannia Other sponsors of the Games include Cornish Metals The Camborne School of Mines is part of the University of Exeter, based at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. To learn more about the Camborne School of Mines and its world-class programmes, visit the website. Comments on the proposed route for the controversial Cambourne to Cambridge busway project must be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport by Wednesday More than 22,000 people have signed a petition against the plans The Coton Busway Action group says an alternative on-road route would be cheaper and less destructive but the GCP says it would not provide the same benefits as an off-road route The action group said: “We are asking all supporters of the C2C busway campaign if they would submit an objection to the GCP’s proposed route.” It has put together guidelines at cotonbuswayaction.com to help supporters respond FED-UP locals living in a new build "ghost town" have slammed developers that left them without a high street There is no post office, no newsagent, no greengrocers and no convenience store in Cambourne, a few miles from Cambridge And although bus stop signs were erected in West Cambourne The second pub locals were promised never materialised either Instead, most of the High Street is just an open space covered in grass, with a café, building society and a Turkish barbers at one end and few houses clustered at the other Now instead of the shops planned when work began in the 1990s, there are proposals to build another 30 townhouses and 87 flats there “They just want to make money by building more houses and forget about amenities for the people who live here.” Danny Dove, 78, sat enjoying a beer outside the Monkfield Arms, the town’s only pub, agreed. “Apart from this place there’s not much to do here,” he said. “It’s a bit of a ghost town really.” “We do need some more shops,” said Seyi, who recently moved to Cambourne from north London “It would add a bit of character to the town.” added: “There have been a lot of broken promises “Instead we just ended up with a load of estate agents said: “I’d like to see another pub and a second supermarket rather than more houses “A couple more restaurants wouldn’t go amiss Doctors Lahiry Deiyagala and Kokila Karunarthne But they face a 20-minute drive to Huntingdon if they want to stock up with their favourite Asian foods “We need another supermarket – or at least a bigger one – with a wider choice of items,” said Lahiry said: “It is doggie heaven here because we are surrounded by lovely countryside But there is not a lot for youngsters and we could do with another pub.” said: “It’s a very friendly town and the people are lovely “The local GP practice is over-subscribed already and it’s virtually impossible to get an appointment at the two practice dentists “They put up bus stops in West Cambourne where I live – unfortunately Newcrest Cambourne Ltd who have applied for planning permission for the new homes argue they are necessary to make the scheme They claim: “This mix of uses will add to the vibrancy of the town centre bringing people living in the town centre.” But residents have bombarded South Cambridgeshire District Council with objections One said: “The area really ought to be filled with just shops it should all be social and affordable housing only.” Another claimed it was “outrageous” that homes were “being squeezed in to the detriment of the purpose of the High Street” and added: “The proposed application is not appropriate for the community.” And a third added: “Cambourne has far too much residential development as it is “We also need a wider variety of shops including alternative supermarkets (e.g But despite the lack of shops and leisure facilities Cambourne does have one claim to fame – the first Post Box bearing the cipher of King Charles III During a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon three cyclists from London photographed themselves with it before a couple of Dutch tourists arrived and then an excited group of university students from Cambridge said: “Cambourne is a successful and beautiful place to live and work – and the amount of open space and woodland is second to none for a new town "There’s a strong community engaged in all sorts of innovative projects and activities for all ages – alongside a supermarket we are in the process of determining a planning application which proposes further retail space on the High Street alongside new homes such as Cambourne’s excellent Town Council and residents is to continue creating a vibrant town with an exemplar transport network that connects communities allowing people the choice to leave their cars at home.” The Sun has approached Newcrest Cambourne Ltd for comment Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ A man is in hospital with serious injuries and an 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent after a violent incident in Cambourne on Tuesday night (25 June) Police cordoned off a section of Broad Street in Great Cambourne on Wednesday morning A force spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to reports of violence in Broad Street and a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he remains “An 18-year-old man from Cambourne has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent and remains in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station.” Det Chief Insp Tom Rowe said: “I understand this is likely to be concerning for local people but we believe it to be an isolated incident and we have extra patrols in the area today who people can speak to if they wish “Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact us on 101 or via web-chat and quote incident 632 of 25 June.” The police’s scientific services unit also attended the scene on Wednesday morning Council officers decided it was not “expedient” to award a tree preservation order (TPO) to 100-year-old Bramley apple trees in an orchard – because they will be bulldozed when the Greater Cambridge Partnership runs a new busway through the site Emails released under Freedom of Information rules reveal that officers at South Cambridgeshire District Council acknowledged the 12 trees at Coton Orchard scored highly enough to merit protection These include a Bramley recognised as a ‘Champion Tree’ by the Tree Register being the second largest of its kind ever recorded in the British Isles But officers decided to withhold the TPOs after warnings that making the orders could be a political “hot potato” thanks to plans by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) to plough through the orchard with the Cambourne to Cambridge busway And it was concluded that preservation orders would not prevent the trees being chopped down to make way for the proposed route In an email to fellow officers within the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service the built and natural environment manager at the council advised: “The trees would merit a TPO however it is not considered expedient to service a TPO given the forthcoming plans to carry out major infrastructure works for the Cambridge-Cambourne busway he [the tree officer] recommends that the opportunity should be taken to talk with GCP and their consultants about whether the precise alignment can be adjusted slightly.” This was suggested because of a natural break in the trees A TPO application for the historic apple trees in Coton Orchard was submitted on 5 March and the decision was supposed to take a maximum of 12 weeks the process took 275 days as officers puzzled over how to respond to the request in the face of plans to route the busway through the orchard where the trees stand The GCP busway project aims to create a mostly off-road bus route between Cambourne and Cambridge via the new Bourn Airfield development Cambridgeshire County Council – as the highways authority – agreed in March 2023 that a Transport and Works Act could be applied for to build the dedicated busway But the busway project has faced enormous opposition with particular concern raised over the plans to cut through Coton Orchard which would mean felling about 500 veteran trees in total An email released under the FOI rules from the tree officer stated six of the 12 trees for which a TPO was sought would fall directly under the busway route The tree officer noted in his email to the council’s natural environment team leader that the issue could become “a hot potato” as the council’s Conservative opposition leader Cllr Heather Williams had asked for the trees to be protected In an early draft of the tree officer’s TPO report he said: “There is also a risk that this decision to not TPO the trees will become part of a media narrative whereby the council are being accused of pushing through a contentious development and so have cynically decided that the trees have little value we have followed the national process and used the national standard to assess the trees’ value as TPO candidates.” The trees were scored as 15 on a TEMPO scale by the tree officer which meant that on this basis they would merit TPO status director of planning for Greater Cambridge made the final decision not to award the protection orders He said in a report that as the trees belonged to a commercial enterprise – the orchard – and because “the specific trees also fall within an area identified within published documents as forming part of the route of the Cambourne to Cambridge public transport corridor” the protection afforded by a TPO would be “significantly diminished” by exemption rules and that a TPO would not prevent the trees from being removed Anna Gazeley, owner of Coton Orchard said: “‘Expedient’ is an interesting choice of word Especially since we’ve been reassured time and time again that TPO decisions are purely merit-based But according to internal emails unearthed in the FOI request the application was treated more like a game of ‘hot potato’ – their words not mine – with officials passing it around in hopes of not being caught holding it when the music stopped with joint director of planning Stephen Kelly quietly making the delegated decision to reject it while a potentially unnecessary busway project barrels forward with scant regard for democratic oversight Councillor Bridget Smith – the council leader – tells us the environment is ‘at the core’ of everything the council does but one can’t help wondering if this core might be slightly rotten perhaps our councillors could reflect on the gap between their words and their actions those of us with fewer words and more actions on our to-do list will be drafting objections to the Department for Transport.” Ms Gazeley has called for the TPOs to be discussed by the council’s planning committee She said: “Given the council dragged their feet for the best part of a year there clearly was time to have a debate in committee and allow the public to give input.” She highlighted that part of the reason given by Mr Kelly for refusing the TPOs was their visibility the council deducted three points from the trees’ total because they are only “occasionally visible to the public” Mr Kelly was not convinced that “a significant negative impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public would arise if the trees were removed” Ms Gazeley said she would like the public to be given a chance to comment, given the orchard holds several public events, including wassails, bioblitzes And she pointed to the irony that the council noted the trees “will become visible from the proposed busway” – the very busway that will bulldoze them A district council spokesperson said: “The report gives full and careful consideration including reference to government advice on such matters on the matter of whether a TPO should be introduced for these specific trees The reasons why the request for a TPO submitted has not led to the introduction of a TPO in this case is therefore set out in full in the report “These trees form a part of a commercial orchard that benefits from exemptions in law from the TPO process The trees are also within the identified line of a proposed public transport corridor currently being assessed by the government through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application In the event that the TWAO proposals are approved by the government next year the ‘permission’ would override the protection provided by a TPO “On that basis and in line with the government’s published guidance making a TPO would not therefore achieve the objectives of protecting the trees The council has a specialist team of officers dedicated to protecting trees across the district making a TPO would not fulfil the objectives of the TPO regime.” The relocation will almost double the company’s current space allowing it to continue expanding its in-house teams investing in additional specialist engineering equipment said:“Moving our offices from St Ives to Cambourne Park is a major investment in our future and starts an exciting new chapter for the company Our new state-of-the-art facilities will immediately give us more space for ongoing growth and development of our business on all fronts as well as the flexibility for further expansion on-site when we need it 42 Technology will also now be part of a thriving innovation hub that could lead to some exciting new partnerships for us and our clients.” Cambourne Park is one of the most well-connected life science and technology clusters in the Cambridge area The 50-acre campus is located nine miles from the city and is part of the world-renowned Cambridge innovation ecosystem 42 Technology will be working alongside more than 40 leading companies at the campus who are driving innovation in key sectors for the UK economy 42 Technology’s new building has been designed to optimise its research while providing the perfect work environment to inspire creativity and innovation The ground floor features a reception area multiple meeting rooms and fully equipped electronics laboratories It also includes a dedicated product usability and testing suite and a large mechanical lab with a workshop and purpose-built zones equipped with the latest metrology and prototyping equipment to accelerate new product developments The first floor has an open-plan layout with staff workstations multiple additional meeting rooms and phone booths This space has been designed primarily as a breakout zone with a café and lounge area with sofas and chairs but it can be quickly reconfigured into a large-scale meeting room for company-wide gatherings or other events 42 Technology’s new offices are being designed and fitted out by Area a London-based office design consultancy known for its award-winning environmental initiatives and cutting-edge workplace designs purpose-built space is being configured to provide an inspiring environment to help teams work together more easily when creating and developing new technologies and products for clients The expanded facilities will allow 42 Technology to accommodate larger Despite the option to stay in Japan or possibly come back to the Premiership the former Fiji international has returned home and will be plying his trade in the National Leagues When Josh Matavasi represented the Barbarians back in 2018 it wasn’t just the black and white hooped shirts of the famous invitational side that meant a great deal to him Matavesi sported red socks to represent Camborne Rugby Club where it all began for the fly-half/centre And after a career which includes stints in the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs Newcastle Falcons and Bath – as well as time spent in France Wales and most recently Japan – Matavesi has now gone full circle and has returned home to Camborne “I feel extremely proud of my journey,” Matavesi says reflecting on a professional career which has spanned 17 years “[I was] just a kid from Camborne who really did just believe in himself A lot of people from the club really helped me with my dream “I have signed for some great clubs in my time but signing for Camborne has led to this massive excitement factor in my belly I was more excited to sign for them than I have been for a while so it just shows the club means so much to me.” A post shared by Camborne Rugby Club (@cambornerfc) Rarely does an interview with Matavesi pass by without a nod towards his Cornish roots not least because the man himself is unbelievably proud to come from the area he will be lining up for Camborne in National Two West after Steve Larkins’ side topped Regional 1 South West last term to earn their first promotion back to the National Leagues for more than 20 years Matavesi recognises the club are heading in the right direction and while that certainly came into his thinking when deciding where his next chapter in the game would be following a two-year spell in the Far East with Toyota Shuttles there were also other factors that took precedence “I actually had the option of another year in Japan and a couple of offers to go back to the Premiership but my family really were at the forefront of my thinking,” Matavesi says “They are the ones that have been sacrificing for me Moving elsewhere would be another move for the kids another friendship group for my wife Anna to make and it is a massive toll “My wife has given up her aspirations to make sure the kids are good so wherever I got jetted off to they were with me so I couldn’t have done it without Anna which makes this the right decision.” With Sam and Joel both at Northampton Saints the move back to England means Matavesi is now closer to his brothers as well as his father “My Dad is still here now,” Matavesi explains as we discuss how his father made Camborne his home After making such an impression on a Fiji Barbarians tour in 1985 the club wanted him to come back to Cornwall because obviously I kept it quiet for a bit because I wanted to make sure that all the things were right for me to sign and also for the club to make sure I was the right fit That just made my decision even better.” Matavesi’s four uncles also played for Camborne while his father coached the now 32-year-old as well as brothers Sam and Joel when they were younger The affiliation between Camborne and the family is set for its latest instalment with Matavasi combining his playing duties with becoming the club’s Youth Development Officer whilst also taking on the opportunity to commence a career working in Business Development with major sponsor CLX really passionate about my community,” Matavesi adds “Being the Youth Development Officer it allows me to hopefully have a massive impact on young people’s lives here I just want to be able to impact and influence them in the right direction perhaps even unlesh the next set of brothers or the next Matavesi’s down in Camborne “That is not to say I have been here It is literally just put a ball in their hand and watch them have a smile on their face I just want them to get the same enjoyment I got from the game We have got great investment from CLX and Tony Chapman that was another massive factor in coming back here A post shared by Josh Matavesi (@josh_matavesi) “With what has been going on in the Premiership [with the demise of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish] and coming back home having the security of this job will be good and it is something I can grow into “I have never worked a day in my life so I am really excited to step into that world They understand I am new to this so they are pretty patient with me They are going to make sure I can turn a laptop on and write my name!” So with Matavesi wearing various different hats at Camborne will the 24-time capped Fijian be able to balance his commitments and travel over to France to watch his nation at the upcoming Rugby World Cup “I’ll have to ask the boss for a couple of days off!” laughs Matavesi “I’m hoping to get some TV work as well [around the tournament] and I want to go over there and experience it as a fan I have been lucky enough to play in two World Cups [2015 and 2019] so to go and watch my brother Sam Fiji will be aiming to make an impact at the showpiece event which begins in September and Matavesi believes the development of the Fijian Drua Super Rugby Pacific side has helped create “probably one of the best overall squads Fiji have put together.” the Flying Fijians began an intriguing Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a 36-20 win over Tonga and will face Samoa and Japan before World Cup warm-up games against France and England we’ve had the overseas lads and then the lads who play locally in Fiji,” Matavesi says “The gulf between that and the boys overseas was so huge that the other boys were playing catch-up whereas now you’ve seen the [Fijian] Drua in Super Rugby they beat the Hurricanes so they are a force to be reckoned with “Now you have got those players sprinkled in with guys like [Josua] Tuisova On Fiji’s chances of making it out of Pool C which includes Eddie Jones’ Australia Warren Gatland’s Wales as well as Georgia and Portugal Matavesi adds: “Going into the World Cup You go to a World Cup for a reason and that is to go as far as possible Fiji have to play England at Twickenham and also France in the lead-up to the tournament so they will have had good tests They are going to be lively going into the World Cup which I am quite excited for!” Fiji kick off their World Cup campaign against Wales on September 10th which is shaping up to be a big weekend for Matavesi as just over 24 hours earlier a fixture which he has circled many times in his calendar is taking place at Camborne’s Crane Park “I can’t wait to get stuck into a Dings Crusaders The amount of build-up and excitement from both parts of town will be huge [the clubs are separated by just a four-mile stretch of the A30] “I think it is one of the oldest rugby traditions in the world and now to be playing them in the league rather than just on Boxing Day is going to be special I can’t imagine how many people will be coming out to watch I think it will be one of the highest crowds you’re going to see all season The excitement in Matavesi’s voice to get things properly underway is noticeable with Camborne beginning their campaign against Dings Crusaders on September 2nd Josh Matavesi sold EVERYONE with that dummy ? Look at the smile on his face during the replay too Sensational stuff from the @bathrugby flyer!#RugbyRestart pic.twitter.com/2ZYsEMGvvR — Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 22, 2020 Matavesi is too humble to fully admit Camborne’s “entertaining” brand of rugby might suit his all-court game down to a tee but the bigger picture for the versatile back is that he is home and he is determined to continue to do his club proud as he has done for the past 17 years “When I shook Steve Larkins hand [Camborne’s Director of Rugby] rugby is rugby and the values still remain the same no matter how high up the game you go so I am going to give it my all to all aspects of the club The beers do change to protein shakes the higher you go up but I can’t wait to have a beer with an opposition number 10 or 12 and just have that camaraderie because let’s face it Email: ncasecretary@outlook.com The University of Exeter is set to relaunch its historic undergraduate Mining Engineering degree programme delivered by experts from the world-famous Camborne School of Mines is being reintroduced after a five-year hiatus at the University’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall The first cohort of undergraduate Mining Engineering students are due to be welcomed to the University in the 2025/26 academic year The degree programme will be part of the University’s Engineering 2030 Strategy that will see an increased portfolio of engineering programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level Students on all existing and new programmes will study a common first year and will be able to convert to the dedicated Mining Engineering programme in their second year of study The University is also seeking to create scholarships to support students to continue onto the conversion programme President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter announced the decision at a recent Camborne School of Mines Association gala dinner in Perth Professor Roberts said: “Our Camborne School of Mines is known worldwide for its crucial role in providing skills provision research and innovation in mining and critical minerals resourcing “One of the key missions of our Strategy 2030 goal is to lead meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis the demand for critical minerals is only going to increase “We know that one of the largest concerns in recent years of the mining industry is the recruitment of new graduates and I am delighted to be able to announce the relaunch of our undergraduate Mining Engineering degree at the Camborne School of Mines to support the future health of the mining industry.” said: “We are thrilled that the undergraduate Mining Engineering programme is being reintroduced by the University The Camborne School of Mines is one of the world’s leading mining institutions and has a rich tradition of ensuring thousands of students have the very best qualifications to forge successful careers across the globe “The work that we do have never been more crucial as we transition towards net zero and the demand for critical minerals increases It is vital that we are at the forefront of supporting future generations of mining engineers to help build a greener future for us all.” CSM launched two innovative Mining Engineering programmes – the Mine Management Degree Apprenticeship programme and a part time degree to provide current mining employees from diverse business specialisms regulators and service providers with a wide-ranging flexible and industry-relevant exposure to every aspect of the global mining value chain Those programmes help upskill those already holding roles within the mining industry and cover a broad range of topics including the underlying maths geology and physics skills that inform engineering Industry partners have welcomed the reintroduction of the Mining Engineering degree programme Technical & Operations Director of Anglo American commented: “As one of the world’s leading mining companies we are delighted that the University of Exeter and the world-class Camborne School of Mines will again be bringing through cohorts of new mining engineers “Our industry offers incredible career opportunities for engineers of many disciplines but mining engineers in particular are set to benefit from an extraordinary era for mining over the next few decades as the world needs ever greater volumes of critical metals and minerals to decarbonise our energy and transport systems as well as support improving living standards and food security We look forward to meeting those new graduates in a few years’ time.” President of the Mining Association of the UK and Chairperson of the UK Mining Education Forum said “This is extremely positive news for the UK mining industry and a recognition by the University of the crucial role that minerals and mining has in ensuring a realistic and sustainable transition to net-zero for society This will only be possible if we can supply enough people both to do the work and to ensure it is managed responsibly We as an industry will support this programme to ensure its long term success.” For more information about the new undergraduate Mining Engineering programme, and how you can support the next generation of mining engineers, please contact Professor Pat Foster p.j.foster@exeter.ac.uk 10 Feb 2025 By Jamie Bennett-Ness Already registered? please Log in to continue Try Property Week For Free to finish this article To access this article TRY FOR FREE NOW Don't want full access? 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SIGN IN here to continue Property Week’s 2025 Power of Proptech survey seeks to explore the robustness of this digital infrastructure and how prepared businesses are to meet the technological challenges facing the property sector Councillors will decide this week whether to approve a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to cover 12 Bramley apple trees in Coton Orchard threatened by plans for a new busway The TPO application calls for protection orders to be issued for 12 trees that face being cut down to make way for the proposed Cambourne to Cambridge busway South Cambridgeshire District Council officers had previously used their delegated powers to reject a provisional TPO for the trees this latest application will now be heard by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday 15 January at the request of Cllr Heather Williams leader of the opposition group at the council said the decision taken by officers was “inappropriate” “We are custodians of the earth. We are not the owners, and we have a duty to future generations to ensure that we protect it,” she said The Mordens) continued: “Councils need to remember what their duties are and why they are elected and one of our duties is giving out tree protection orders It’s not to determine the other part of the legislation in the other application there is no permission in place for the busway and therefore we should be acting as a council in response to an application in the light of how the situation is It’s really disappointing the outcome that they gave “Putting it forward to the planning committee gives us another chance to make sure that people are aware of what’s happening Make sure that they know that trees can be protected and they ought to take action and that the decision taken by officers is inappropriate and they need to take responsibility for this.” Papers published by council ahead of the committee meeting state that while an assessment concluded the trees could be considered for a TPO officers have not recommended that an order be issued A council tree officer said the Bramley apple trees are “unique examples of the species” and contribute to the ecological value of the site as recorded on the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory they said a TPO on its own would not protect the trees from the development of the busway Officers said if a TPO was issued then permission would be required each time pruning and management practices were undertaken the next steps in the process would include drafting an order to serve on the landowner A £200million off-road busway that will plough through Cambridge’s green belt and the historic Coton Orchard is facing a legal challenge from campaigners charities and conservationists argue that an alternative on-road solution to the Cambourne to Cambridge busway “would achieve the project’s objectives without causing environmental degradation” Spearheading the legal challenge is charity Cambridge Past explained: “It is possible to improve bus services from Cambourne to Cambridge without building a road through four wildlife sites and our charity’s land “Over 22,200 people signed a petition asking local politicians to build bus lanes and we are submitting our objection to [the] government and we are appealing for donations to help.” The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) plans to build the busway to improve journeys between the town and city The GCP said it had not been formally notified of the intention to begin legal proceedings The deadline to submit objections is today (8 January) which will automatically trigger a public inquiry His sentiments are echoed by fellow Cambridge alumnae who have also lent their voices to the campaign The coalition is asking for donations to fund their legal case and professional representation at the upcoming public inquiry Contributions can be made via the CPPF website at cambridgeppf.org/cambourne-cambridge-busway The coalition trying to save the green corridor and Coton Orchard includes Cambridge Past A GCP spokesperson said: “While there has been coverage in the media we haven’t formally been notified by Cambridge Past Present and Future of their intention to begin legal proceedings we will study and discuss them with our legal representatives and respond in due course we would remind interested parties we have submitted a Transport and Works Act Order application for the Cambourne to Cambridge scheme to the Secretary of State in accordance with UK legislation and anyone wanting to make a submission to the Department for Transport has until Wednesday Hosts hold on to win 31-24 at a packed Recreation Ground CAMBORNE increased their advantage at the top of National Two West to six points with a deserved victory over nearest challengers Clifton at the Recreation Ground. ‘Town’ scored first as a well-executed peel move from a close range line-out saw skipper Jon Drew find Ben Priddey who crashed over. Kyle Moyle added a majestic conversion for 7-0. Inside the first quarter the home side saw yellow cards for prop Drew and flanker Jordan Nicholls, but despite being down to 13 men, Moyle landed a monster penalty from the halfway line (10-0). A quickfire brace of tries, the first of which was converted, then saw the visitors go in front at 12-10. One back to 15, Camborne began to dominate up front and on 29 minutes Moyle again landed a long-range penalty to regain the advantage. As the interval neared ‘Town’ went further ahead with a superb try fashioned from a delightful one-handed offload by centre Josh Matavesi to his midfield partner Connor Gilbert who sent wing Alex Ducker in near the posts. Moyle duly converted before booting another penalty from distance on the half-time whistle to make it 23-12. Camborne went up a gear from the resumption, and although more than once their thrilling long-range attacks came to nothing, man of the match Moyle did add a fourth successful penalty on 48 minutes. Clifton retaliated with a try from a charged down clearance, but the home side managed the game well and still led 26-17 late on. The Cherry & Whites then delivered the crucial blow from an unstoppable forward drive that saw hooker Priddey dotting down his 30th touchdown of the season. The visitors bagged a converted try to earn themselves a pair of precious losing bonus points, but Camborne held on to preserve their unbeaten home record. Comments [email protected]Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 grazing on Cambourne nature reserve and the chance to try a bat safari Making hay while the sun shines at Trumpington Meadows If you are a regular visitor to Trumpington Meadows you may have noticed that we have carried out our annual hay cut explained why this annual event is so vital for the management of the habitat: “The annual hay cut is the most important job we do at Trumpington Meadows and we take a lot of care and attention to make sure we get it right We work with local farmers to do much of the actual cutting and baling - they have multiple big tractors to make the task easier and use the hay to feed their Longhorn cattle “It's always a lot of work but when we see how diverse and wonderful the meadows look the following year we know it's worth it!” and several corporate work parties have been busy pulling ragwort in preparation for the hay cut This is another vital job because although the plant is a great food source for invertebrates the hay would be unsuitable for consumption by the farmers livestock if ragwort was present We have made sure that plenty of ragwort has been left to thrive in the field margins though Results from grassland surveys at the trust show that hay cutting combined with grazing in our meadows is the most beneficial management for botanical diversity we have also been busy installing some robust new fencing around Edmundsoles Meadow using a mix of sweet chestnut strainers and metal posts and are exploring the potential of introducing livestock to the area at this time of the year and alongside vital hay cuts such as this it is vital that all visitors to our reserves are aware of fire safety and the risks involved when the grass is dry We have to be very careful about the risk of wildfires which is why no barbecues or bonfires are allowed on the reserves and we ask that people are very careful to make sure that cigarettes are put out and disposed of appropriately The fire service had to be called to Trumpington Meadows recently to put out a hay fire The reserve team described it as “a very scary situation which could have been a lot worse” The Great Fen has once again been given an amazing moment in the spotlight as it featured on a recent episode of Countryfile Matt Baker and Anita Rani alongside a large crew of producers presenters and camera people spent time on the fens filming and interviewing our staff and partners about the wildlife history and future plans across our sites and Natural England areas They lent a hand with a peatland health check and learnt about the environmental impacts of the historic draining of the Fens for agriculture whilst exploring alternative techniques for fenland farming Wildlife Trust monitoring and research officer at the Great Fen surveying species by sight and sound to determine the results of an ambitious fenland restoration project The episode aired on Sunday 28 July and is available to view on iPlayer A question from an onlooker visiting our Cambourne reserve and spotting the Hebridean sheep so it is not surprising that they can surprise people and appear quite exotic They are a rare native breed of livestock playing an important role grazing at Cambourne Nature Reserve We have had Limousin cattle grazing in Cambourne for a few years but unfortunately not enough of them to keep on top of all the grazing required So this year we have some extra animals on site to help Are you interested in learning more about the bats you can find in Cambridge There are some brilliant bat spotting experiences that offer the opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals and their awesome adaptations or a St Ives Electric River Boat twilight trip along the River Ouse both of which provide some of the most exciting evening experiences of summer Using hand held bat detectors you can listen to bats echolocating and watch them flying overhead as you travel down the river Both companies contribute 50 per cent of ticket proceeds to the trust You can book your place online at www.wildlifebcn.org/bat-punts and www.wildlifebcn.org/st-ives-electric-riverboat-co-wildlife-tours Or step back onto dry land and join a guided bat walk at one of our reserves. Take a look at our events listings at www.wildlifebcn.org/events to see what’s on A second man has been arrested following violence in Cambourne It follows an incident on Tuesday night (25 June) in Broad Street He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition An 18-year-old man from the Cambourne area was arrested on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm That followed the arrest of another 18-year-old man from Cambourne on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent Both men have since been released on bail until 17 September pending further investigation The police helicopter was scrambled in the early hours of Wednesday morning following the incident to which police were called at about 10.50pm on Tuesday Police cordoned off a section of Broad Street in Great Cambourne on Wednesday morning and a scientific services unit attended the scene a force spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to reports of violence in Broad Street and a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he remains.” Det Chief Insp Tom Rowe said on Wednesday: “I understand this is likely to be concerning for local people “Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact us on 101 or via web-chat and quote incident 632 of 25 June.” Schoolchildren helped Royal Mail unveil the first postbox to bear the cypher of HM King Charles III in Great Cambourne today (Friday was unveiled by children from The Vine Inter-Church Primary School in Upper Cambourne The children then posted the first letters in the box using Special Stamps that celebrated His Majesty’s Coronation Each of the children was asked to write a letter to The King about The Vine’s forest school The forest school is part of the school’s approach to supporting pupil’s social and emotional needs as well as a first step in becoming carbon neutral The children also formally invited The King to open their forest school The pupils also expressed their interest in the environment and asked King Charles his advice on moving towards a more sustainable future The letters were placed in an envelope and posted jointly by the head pupil and deputy head pupil and sent to The King at Buckingham Palace Royal Mail said: “More than 115,000 postboxes across the UK have recorded the succession of monarchs since the first box bore the cypher of Queen Victoria We thank His Majesty for granting us the use of his personal cypher as we begin the next chapter in the story of the iconic Great British postbox in Great Cambourne.” The King’s cypher consists of the initials of the monarch’s name alongside a representation of the Tudor Crown Royal Mail is honoured to carry the cypher as its use is in the personal gift of the King What an honour to unveil the first King Charles III post box in Great Cambourne, High St this morning with children from Vine Inter-Church Primary School. The gold cipher is unique to this box. Cambridgeshire is lucky to have this historical memory of the New Carolean era… pic.twitter.com/LP7MZt6nlL A commemorative plaque records the special status of this historic postbox Although a number of new or replacement postboxes have been installed since His Majesty ascended the throne existing stocks carrying the cypher of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II continued to be used up The tradition of using a royal cypher on postboxes dates back to Queen Victoria’s reign The use of the cypher on Royal Mail postboxes identifies the reigning monarch at the time they were created but existing postboxes retain the cypher from the period in which they were installed The cypher is also applied to the doors of Royal Mail vehicles The initial roll-out of the new cypher across Royal Mail’s fleet saw 100 trucks bearing the cypher on 12 July with a further 290 trucks due to receive the new logo over the next six weeks 3636 delivery vehicles will be updated from August-October 2024 There are currently 115,000 postboxes in operation across the UK A farmer fears the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s plans for the Cambourne to Cambridge off-road busway will ruin the site of his parents’ grave whose family have run a farm in Coton for four generations explains that urns containing the ashes of father Frank and mother Eileen are buried in farmland on top of a hill that overlooks the village The viewpoint is marked by a memorial bench and flowers and is passed by family members throughout the day because the privately-owned land is next to a footpath that connects his home with those of his two sons But the GCP plans to build the Cambourne to Cambridge busway through the field and a map seen by the family appears to show the route ploughing through the burial area The GCP denied that the busway would cross the burial site but the family remains unconvinced saying they have had no written confirmation of this despite years of trying to get clarity have not seen a detailed plan showing the route bypassing the burial site and no one from the GCP has been to stake out the route explained: “My father chose this place to be buried because he loved this land and from here he could see his farm the village and all his neighbours – he said he wanted to keep an eye on them He was buried here in 1990 and my mother Eileen’s ashes were buried with him in 1994 “We had a blessing here by the vicar after the ashes were interred and ever since it has been a special place for our family – my sons and grandchildren – with a bench here so we can enjoy the view that my dad loved “Now I am absolutely horrified that this could be destroyed by the busway cutting through our field “From what we understand by looking at the maps the route will cut through the burial site – meaning the urns will have to be dug up “And even if it ends up being a couple of metres away from the grave it still completely destroys the place where we remember my parents and then perhaps we will be forced to move them anyway.” said: “We have never had a clear answer about what is happening with the burial site The family has asked for advice from the church and has been told that ashes cannot be dug up without a formal consent from the Ministry of Justice said: “We think it’s likely that the ashes are within the line of the busway It’s difficult to be 100 per cent sure as we have no dimensions provided by the GCP we know the busway is a dead straight line and we know where it starts and crosses a point further down cycle path and earthworks and landscaping will be between 35 and 40 metres wide so using those facts we think it crosses the burial site “I think a very helpful next step would be if the GCP could mark out the route on site and show us where the edge of the busway and all the other works associated with it will go.” It’s absolutely not right to move my parents’ remains.” The family is also concerned that the busway would cut across the footpath between the three family homes and that the new access point being suggested by the GCP is much further away Wendy says: “I am disabled and if the access is moved it will make it almost impossible for me to visit my grandchildren in the houses across the field.” The Cambourne to Cambridge busway plan would see a dedicated off-road route cut through Coton Orchard and Green Belt land to provide a new transport link to the city The busway would serve Cambourne and the proposed Bourn Airfield development It would also feature an ‘active travel path’ alongside it for pedestrians A new Park & Ride site is also proposed under the plans The route, originally priced at £220million but which may now cost considerably more, has faced enormous opposition, with particular concern raised over the plans to plough through the orchard which would mean felling about 500 veteran trees Present and Future (CPPF) commissioned a report which argued that there are other on-road solutions that would deliver similar transport and economic benefits The report said this could be achieved quickly But councillors voted down the motion to consider CPPF’s alternative after hearing on-road options had been examined by the GCP A GCP spokesperson said: “We understand this is a difficult situation for the Sadler family and we have been talking to them about this matter for some time “The proposed route for the busway and active travel link avoids the burial site but we understand the family’s concerns about the scheme travelling through an area that is important to them We continue to talk to the family about this “The Cambourne to Cambridge scheme – which has been subject to detailed public consultation – would need to be approved by the Secretary of State for Transport.” The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response A community mural that is meant to represent hope has been defaced. The mural in Camborne portrays the town's own rugby legends who played locally and went on to play international rugby for Fiji The mural was created by spraypaint artist Cosmic who has illustrated Camborne's heritage and history with some his work throughout the town centre Yesterday (Thursday, January 16) the mural - which is meant to represent hope - was defaced by some idiot's own graffiti, which caused some upset in the town. Demelza Lean, who reported the incident to the police, told CornwallLive: "Recently Camborne town has been greeted with some amazing art work from the amazing spray paint artist who goes by the name of Cosmic "He has illustrated our town' heritage using his imagination in transforming old electrical phone boxes into cartoon images using spray paints However on Wednesday he created the ultimate masterpiece on the shutters of what was the old whirlwind sports "The illustration was of the famous Matavesi brothers of Camborne who started their rugby journey as youths at Camborne RFC from there they then went onto playing international rugby for Fiji Sign up to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from CornwallLive straight to your inbox "The artist sprayed an illustration of the three boys in a scrum wearing the classic 'cherry and whites' playing jersey But this was more than just a spray-painting It had a message for all of the youth in Camborne and that message was a personal one from Josh Matavesi himself stating or where you come from you can achieve anything'." She added: "It was in hope that some of the unfortunate youth of today take this as a opportunity to achieve their goals no matter how big or small it's possible in the early hours of the night someone who has been known for this around the Camborne area has decided to spray paint his name tag all over this artwork It's been an upsetting and disgraceful thing to witness." including recent damage to a professional mural recently completed in Camborne town centre "We understand the impact this has on the community and we're committed to addressing these concerns and we will provide further updates as they become available." If you have any information or have witnessed suspicious activity please get in touch with us via 101 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.