Category: Willingham Parish Council

Dear Mayor Nik,

Following the announcement by Stagecoach of drastic cuts to its services Willingham Parish Council very much welcomes your promise that, in providing interim support, “we are looking at sections of route withdrawn on Citi5 beyond Northstowe”. The axing of the Citi5 beyond Longstanton (just north of Northstowe) is a disaster for Willingham, leaving a village of almost 5000 residents with no public transport at all.

The Citi5 provides a lifeline for non-drivers, from school children and students to the elderly and disabled. As well as being a direct (if very lengthy) link to Cambridge, it is also a link to the Busway one and a half miles away for faster routes to Cambridge, which is an important destination for work, education, essential shopping, trains and leisure, and to St Ives. It also provides a vital link to Swavesey Village College, attended by many Willingham children.

WPC has spent considerable time and energy responding to the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Making Connections bus consultation, which links in to the CPCA’s plans, and we hope that those views will still be listened to, whatever delivery option prevails. In particular, if people are to be encouraged to use buses rather than cars a fast direct bus to Cambridge is essential or failing that a frequent shuttle bus to the Busway. Links to secondary education at Cottenham and Swavesey Village Colleges and to sixth from colleges in Cambridge are also vital.

Yours Sincerely,

Derek Law

Chair

Willingham Parish Council