The Cambridge And St. Ives Railway Organisation

On 9th December 2005 the government announced that Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport, had given approval for Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB).

This decision gives powers to Cambridgeshire County Council to commence building the busway within five years, if they can fund the busway and if they wish to pursue the scheme.

If the powers are exercised then CAST.IRON would be prevented from reopening the Cambridge to St.Ives railway line.

CAST.IRON and other objectors have the legal right to take this decision to Judicial Review.

Even if a Judicial Review were to fail it does not mean that the busway is certain to be built.

There is a funding gap of at least £21 million. Cambridgeshire County Council have applied for further funding from the government, on top of the £65 million conditionally offered. A decision on funding is not expected until 2006, and contracts could not be placed until at least June 2006.

The CGB Delivery Manager for Cambridgeshire County Council has publicly said that the busway would not be open before late 2008, and that construction will not commence before the end of 2006.

If the Guided Busway is not built then CAST.IRON will reopen the railway line. For details of our plans, click here.

Further information will be posted on the CAST.IRON website in the near future.

1. Item 71 of the DfT decision letter identifies the funding gap as £21m.

2. Item 72 of the DfT decision letter makes clear that the government does not imply any commitment to provide public funding for the scheme.

Public Inquiry - News Coverage

Local News Coverage - 2004

Letters in the press

The Cambridge News Online letters page has more letters from local people and a search of the archives using the phrase 'St Ives Rail' will return most of the correspondence relating to CAST.IRON.