New transport link between Peterborough, Northampton and Oxford set to be investigated

A ‘connectivity study’ is likely to be undertaken as part of the England Economic Heartland’s (EEH) new Transport Strategy.

The EEH is a partnership of local transport authorities and local enterprise partnerships. It covers an area from Swindon and Oxfordshire in the west to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the east.

Its new draft Transport Strategy is aimed at enabling the region’s transport system to support sustainable economic recovery and growth, while reaching net zero carbon emissions no later than 2050.

Among its proposals is a ‘northern arc’ connecting Peterborough, Northampton and Oxford which it wants to commission a study into.

This would be to “support economic activity and in support of planned housing growth”.

Further details are not given on the proposal which is one of a number of connectivity studies the EEH wants to pursue.

However, the strategy also refers to “opportunities for improved connectivity by rail” including connecting Northampton and Corby to Peterborough/Cambridge.

It also wants to work with transport partners to “ensure that strategic corridors for road freight and logistics are fit for purpose”.

Priority would be given to several areas including the A1 north of Huntingdon and the A14.

A formal consultation on the proposals runs until October 6, after which time a final strategy will be published

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority - the county’s mayoral authority - is involved with discussions over the proposals and has submitted feedback as part of the consultation process.

The draft report will be discussed by members of the combined authority’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday from 10am.

Moreover, members will give feedback on the EEH proposal for a Sub-national Transport Body (STB) which would have a range of functions including preparing a transport strategy for the area and receiving funding from the Department for Transport for projects.

The draft Transport Strategy can be read at: http://www.englandseconomicheartland.com/Documents/Draft%20Transport%20Strategy.pdf.

Consultation feedback from the combined authority

. On the Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro, a £1.5 billion project which aims to connect Cambridge, St Neots, Alconbury, Mildenhall and Haverhill, with the possibility of being extended towards Peterborough: “The policy set does not recognise the full potential of the CAM, which is a regional solution for the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough rather than a Cambridge-focussed scheme, and is both a low-carbon solution and an enabler of sustainable housing and employment growth.”

. “The strategy’s policies can go further in promoting a green future. Policy 5, for example, could consider adopting a “doubling nature” ambition of the kind embodied in the combined authority’s policies.”

“The key road freight corridors mentioned in policy 33 should include the A47 and reflect the need to dual that road between Peterborough and Wisbech.”

There is also criticism of the intention to set up an STB for the area.