Guided bus - St Ives strategy emerging

ST IVES is planning a three-pronged strategy to exploit the guided bus link with Cambridge after the busway opens in late summer. As well as trying to attract shoppers to the picturesque town s unique range of shops, Huntingdonshire District Council s eco

ST IVES is planning a three-pronged strategy to exploit the guided bus link with Cambridge after the busway opens in late summer.

As well as trying to attract shoppers to the picturesque town's unique range of shops, Huntingdonshire District Council's economic planners also want to draw in workers from the east and new companies.

The council is expecting consultants, who are currently carrying out a feasibility study, to suggest in mid-April what measures HDC, St Ives Town Council and shop-owners could take to deliver the benefits of the delayed new link, which had been due to open in late April.

Council spokesman Helen Donnellan told The Hunts Post: "We are looking at trying to bring in day visitors and shoppers, and there is a possibility of a loyalty card for the shops.

"But we are also trying to target the employee pool, so that St Ives businesses can bring in people travelling in the opposite direction [to the peak flows].

"There are also vacant premises at Compass Point and elsewhere for start-up businesses. The rates and rents they are looking at are very reasonable compared with Cambridge."

But HDC's writ on the issue is looking beyond just St Ives, if more of the district is to benefit from the arrival of the brand-new buses, most of which will offer air-conditioning and wi-fi connections on board.

"We are also looking at lobbying the bus companies to put on a fast service to Huntingdon, serving the bus station, railway station and hospital, in addition to the planned services through the villages," Mrs Donnellan added.