Bearscroft Masterplan

DEVELOPERS hoping to build more than 700 homes on the edge of Godmanchester have revealed the transport plans they believe will cause ‘nil detriment’ to the A14 and allow their scheme to get planning permission.

The Highways Agency has stated that the plans for Bearscroft Farm should not add to congestion on the A14 and looks set to oppose any plans that cause further problems on the overburdened road.

However, Fairfield Partnership believes it can overcome the problems and has unveiled plans to increase bus services from Godmanchester, including four buses to Huntingdon every hour during peak times (7am-9am and 4.30-6.30pm). At off-peak hours, the service will be reduced to once every 20 minutes.

Services will also go to St Ives along the A14 and through Hemingford Grey, linking with the guided bus, running three times an hour at peak times and every half hour off-peak.

Steve Biart, Fairfield spokesman, said: “Existing bus services in Godmanchester are very limited and hence there is little alternative to driving everywhere.

“With a more regular and dependable service to Huntingdon and a direct, frequent and reliable service to the guided bus at St Ives, passengers would feel confident to leave the car at home more often.

“Both services would run throughout the year and we would subsidise them for a period of time, until patronage from residents and workers on the site, plus existing Godmanchester residents, makes them self-financing.

“Detailed discussions on the exact timing and routing of buses would take place in due course.”

Currently, a bus runs between Huntingdon and Godmanchester every hour during peak times, but the service stops at 5pm and runs only during school terms. Buses to St Ives are every two hours and only one bus runs during the morning peak.