Extending new metro into Peterborough set to be explored

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is pushing ahead with a new autonomous metro which will go from Cambridge up to Alconbury.

And from April, potential extensions to Peterborough, Chatteris and Ramsey will be worked on when the project’s next business case phase begins.

Mayor James Palmer, who leads the combined authority, said: “CAM is a system for all of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. While we are updating the current indicative route map to include potential connections to Chatteris, Ramsey and Peterborough, this is not the end of the line.

“The CAM network will be a platform for growth across the entire region - a driver of sustainable growth, connecting people and jobs with new housing solutions built in the right places and in the right way. We want to hear from those communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who want to be a part of that.”

The CAM could cost up to £4 billion and will include tunnels under Cambridge.

The vast cost has drawn criticism from mayoral candidates Dr Nik Johnson (Labour and Co-operative) and Aidan Van de Weyer (Liberal Democrat) who are both standing against Mayor Palmer in May’s election.

Dr Johnson has pledged to reconsider the entire project if elected, while Mr Van de Weyer said: “We have wasted four years as well as millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.”

It was recently announced that Chris Sexton, who has more than 40 years of experience in infrastructure, and has spent the last 10 years involved in the Crossrail project, will help to deliver the new metro.

Three conceptual designs for the metro have also recently been revealed.