A six-week consultation for residents to highlight the key bus services and cycling and walking routes in East Cambridgeshire will start on Monday 9th March 2020. The aim of the consultation is to identify routes that residents would like to see delivered, or where improvements need to be made.  

Building on the success of the Ely Zipper service, the council is looking to identify bus routes that can, over time, attract sufficient ridership to make them viable and to present a business case to the Combined Authority as it makes decisions about the future of bus services across the county.

The Council has also developed a map of cycling and walking infrastructure. This map will form part of an overall strategy to try and secure improvements to cycle and footpaths over time as and when funding becomes available.

A questionnaire is being sent to all homes in the district – around 39,000 in total – during the first week of the launch, so all residents are being asked to have their say on routes that are most important to their particular household. Residents can also complete the survey online by visiting the East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) website from 9th March at www.eastcambs.gov.uk/buscyclewalk

All completed questionnaires need to be returned to the council by Sunday 19th April 2020. Hard copy questionnaires can be returned to the district council offices in Ely or placed in one of more than thirty drop boxes kindly hosted in various public locations in local communities, including for example a local shop, Post Office, library or in some cases the local pub. The full list of locations is printed on the questionnaire.

Councillor David Brown, chairman of ECDC’s Finance and Assets Committee, said: “The more responses we get, the better the case we can make for funding, so I urge everyone to have their say.”

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of ECDC, said: “We need to develop a comprehensive cycling and walking strategy so that we can more effectively bid for funding as money becomes available. East Cambridgeshire District Councillors will each be holding their own local events to promote the consultation, so please get in touch with your local councillor to find out more and have a say to represent your local area.” 

Cllr Bailey added: “We are interested in hearing from everyone, drivers, walkers, horse riders and cyclists, bus service and taxi users. We would also like to hear the views of hiking groups, cycling groups, parish councils, businesses and schools who walk or cycle as part of their daily work or for pleasure. I call on everyone to have their say by completing the questionnaire and returning it to us by mid-April to help inform our plan.”

The consultation starts on Monday 9th March 2020 and closes on Sunday 19th April 2020. To find out more about the consultation e-mail buscyclewalk@eastcambs.gov.uk or call (01353) 665555.