Campaigner 'no longer shouting in the wind' ahead of Cambridgeshire busway inquiry
She hopes an alternative plan can be agreed instead
Last updated 8th Sep 2025
A campaigner against plans to build a busway between Cambourne and Cambridge feels voices like hers are starting to be heard.
The move to build a busway stretching 8.7 miles is due to be discussed at a public inquiry next week until November, before the Department for Transport makes a final decision.
But it is an issue that Anna Gazeley - whose father bought Coton Orchard in 1996, which lies directly in the path of the busway - has been battling against for some time and has a mix of feelings.
"Relief because having read the proofs of evidence from fellow objectors, experts in every field from transport to ecology, I no longer feel like we're shouting into the wind," she said.
"But also disbelief, because reading these proofs, it's extraordinary we're even here (at an inquiry)."
Light rail 'never practical'
In recent evidence published by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), it said light rail was "never a practical option".
But the GCP said that should a decision be made to adopt light rail in future, the C2C busway "could potentially be adapted to carry trams" despite challenges around cost and access to the city centre.
In the documents, the GCP said East West Rail could complement the busway it's planning for as both transport systems serve different parts of Cambridge.
"Nobody is opposing better public transport between Cambourne and Cambridge," Anna said.
"The on-road alternative, a dedicated inbound bus lane down Madingley Hill, it would be cheaper, quicker to deliver and far less damaging."
Cambridgeshire County Council estimates the contract for the building of the busway - worth around £168 million - would run from June next year until the end of 2028, with a possible extension to May 2031.
In January, a spokesperson for the GCP said the busway would "support both existing and growing communities - helping residents to get where they need to be."
However, the GCP said it understands “there are concerns regarding the proposals being developed, so we are committed to preserve views and limit the impact on the landscape."
Mayor impact
Groups such as Coton Busway Action Group and other individuals are due to give evidence at the inquiry, including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Paul Bristow.
It's a scheme Mr Bristow is against; in his mayoral election manifesto, the former Peterborough MP said money towards the C2C busway "could help to fund properly integrated light rail routes."
Anna believes by having Mr Bristow on side, this could prove to be an advantage.
"He said they won't run it on the GCP route because it isn't commercially viable, so this isn't just an environmental objection, it's a scheme with no operator, no passengers and so no point," she added.
"It's essential that people stand up and speak; this is the first of three Transport and Works Act Orders coming forward, it will set a precedent for what happens in our county and what it means for our futures."