Developer JAYNIC, the developer of Haverhill Research Park, welcomes the proposals for a new metro system that would link Haverhill to Cambridge and the surrounding region.
The Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) proposal by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is for a metro-style network that seamlessly connects regional settlements, major city fringe employment sites and key satellite growth areas across the region with key railway stations and Cambridge city centre, helping to nurture and sustain long-term regional economic growth.
Four regional routes will connect St Neots, Alconbury, Mildenhall and Haverhill with the city of Cambridge. CAM is currently expected to use a technologically advanced, sustainable, highly flexible trackless electric vehicle. The project is currently out for public consultation from 21st February to 23rd April 2020.
The benefits that will arise from CAM include:
- Providing a reliable and regular service using modern vehicles, significantly reducing journey times between the wider region and the city of Cambridge
- By connecting existing and planned settlements with key regional centres of employment, CAM will greatly expand the opportunities available to residents of the region, including access to a greater number and variety of jobs.
- By providing a passenger transport system that offers a genuine alternative to using the car, CAM will help to reduce congestion and improve air quality
- It will connect key regional centres of employment, with existing settlements, railway stations and planned growth, to create a platform for sustainable and inclusive growth across the region
- By decreasing the relative distance between key ‘clusters’ around the city and across the region, CAM will link key growth areas, encouraging additional jobs by making the region a more attractive place to locate, expand and invest.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is the Transport Authority responsible for transport planning and public transport in the area. It brings together the councils of the area and is led by the elected mayor.
IMAGES:
Illustration of Cambridge Autonomous Metro by Natalie Harmer
Indicative Map courtesy of CAM
“This is very exciting news for us as it would greatly enhance Haverhill Research Park and Haverhill’s communications with Cambridge, drawing us closer into its orbit and the greater Cambridgeshire area. However, we acknowledge that even if approved it would be a phased infrastructure project over many years, and the connection to Haverhill may not be in place until the late 2020s at the earliest.”
“We are in the process of building the EpiCentre building that will offer flexible innovation centre accommodation in over 60 office suites, with a further 15 acres for up to 410,000sq ft available for commercial development and we believe that having a metro-link to Cambridge would make the park even more attractive.”
Nic Rumsey
Managing Director – JAYNIC
