Candidates in May’s Cambridge City Council elections share their views on the hotly debated congestion charge
The political parties standing candidates in the Cambridge City Council election have addressed the proposed Cambridge congestion charge.(Image: Cambridge News)
So, what are the opinions of the different political groups running in this year’s Cambridge City Council elections about the possible congestion charge? This proposal has sparked a lot of discussion, and as we head towards voting day on May 4, local parties have been making their positions clear.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) came up with this idea to help pay for better bus services across a wider area. The plan is for a Sustainable Travel Zone where drivers might have to pay £5 during weekdays if they drive within or near the city between 7am and 7pm. Some groups, like people with low incomes, would be exempt from paying.
Money collected from this charge would go toward making buses run more often and cost less. The GCP ran a public consultation last year to get feedback, and we’re expecting a report on that sometime this summer. Even though Cambridgeshire County Council will make the final call after advice from GCP, the city council will get to vote on it at one of the Partnership’s Board meetings.
Read more: Cambridge congestion charge: Lib Dem leader says it’s ‘vital’ councils listen to people
Labour
Labour’s manifesto for these local elections says that this plan could have a “major impact” on people living in Cambridge, and that their candidates will keep pushing back against it. They added: “We will lobby the GCP and instruct our voting representative to vote on behalf of our residents and businesses to make any scheme – if any is implemented – as fair as possible.”
They pointed out they’ll especially defend those who are low income, small business owners, or folks who can’t easily use public transport. They also want to revisit when exactly these charges would apply and address all concerns raised so far.
Their manifesto says: “We believe that everyone should have safe, efficient and affordable transport, in a city where the air is clean and everyone can get where they want to go. We have announced a 2030 net zero carbon target for the city council, and transport options need to be seriously considered as part of this work. We also know that the impacts of climate change, poor air quality and inadequate public transport hit those in poverty the hardest.”
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats say transport around here just isn’t working right now – it needs fixing. Their manifesto states: “Congestion hurts us all: wasting time, lengthening working days, deterring customers, making recruitment hard. It makes public transport unreliable and cycling and walking uncomfortable.
“This is doubly true in the current cost of living crisis when searching for cheaper alternatives to running a car matters more than ever; plus for many people lost time translates into lost money.” Still , they’ve heard some practical worries about GCP’s plans , so they’re pushing for changes before anything moves forward.
These include having an actual plan ready first to improve buses ; giving some flexibility so folks who really need cars don’t get charged unfairly ; plus ways to help those struggling financially deal with any road fees.
Their manifesto reads : “We are committed to continue working with other political parties and surrounding councils so that original plan changes address as many issues raised about travel needs – while still providing effectively for city’s future.”
Green Party
The Greens say there needs be quick move toward greener travel here. They support some kind of charging but think it should start by taxing big employers based on staff parking spots first. They’ll team up with others too , aiming for proposals that make financial sense , treat everyone fairly , backed by facts.
Manifesto points out : “Our bus services are too expensive , don’t serve residents well , nor connect properly with regional travel. Without good public transit options , inequalities grow worse because folks who can’t afford housing near jobs or owning cars suffer most.”
“Alongside providing viable public & active transport choices , we gotta discourage driving. Camb rid ge & South Cambridgeshire Greens still believe charging scheme needed but must consider cost-of-living struggles & not hit disadvantaged groups harder. A workplace parking levy paid by big employers seems fair & effective first step; money collected should fund better public transit.”
Conservative
Cambridge Conservatives are clearly against this congestion fee idea. They said :“This is simply unacceptable at a time where hardworking people & families face tough cost-of-living challenges. We do see need for sustainable travel solutions here but putting extra charges on driving around town isn’t right. Conservatives won’t let working folks get charged just for moving about their own city-we’ll fight hard against any such plans.”: East Cambridgeshire local elections 2023 & full candidate list READ MORE : Soham flat fire sees person & dog rescued by Cambridgeshire firefighters
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