UPDATE - Madingley Wood still under threat from the City Deal (GCCD)

On 13th October 2016 the City Deal Executive Board will once again consider a proposal to threaten the ancient Madingley wood, 800 wood and American Cemetery and Memorial with a busway. We are particularly concerned that the northern busway route through the ancient Madingley wood, 800 wood and American Cemetery and Memorial has now been added back onto the agenda. The debate by the Assembly and their Planning Officers at the GCCD Joint Assembly on 29th September 2016 illustrated a lack of appreciation of the concerns of those who live and work in the Parish of Madingley as well as the concerns of the wider community about despoiling and polluting this rural village surrounded by a landscape that is both ecologically and historically of value both locally, academically and to the neighbouring City of Cambridge. It is concerning that, despite this route being ruled out in the Options Assessment, the Executive Board has recommended that it be looked at again. With many elements of the current City Deal proposals facing increasing levels of hostility from many quarters, we would strongly urge the GCCD to work with local MPs Heidi Allen and Daniel Zeichner and others to postpone or remove the spending deadlines associated with the first tranche of City Deal funds. This will allow more coherent and cohesive solutions to be developed. Everybody accepts that “do nothing” is not an option, but a “do anything” solution is equally unacceptable.