Reponse letter to Dr Nik Johnson – Combine Authority
This is being sent in reponse to the letter posted by Dr Johnson in regard to the upcoming bus changes affecting Hardwick.
Dear Nik,
We are writing to express our deep concerns about the bus service between Hardwick and
Cambridge City and to urge you to reinstate this service after the October 30th cuts.
The loss of this is indispensable route has already had a disastrous impact in the village. People are
struggling to understand the full impact of the cut, which severs their link with key larger settlements
and the opportunity that affords.
These are not unused or unwanted services – stops along St Neots Road are used regularly at all
times of day. These include children going to secondary school, commuters who have heeded the call
to use public transport, jobseekers and those most vulnerable looking to access services in
Cambridge. Some of the sites they use every day have even been upgraded with new shelters or
cycle storage at taxpayers’ expense, money seemingly wasted. Despite this, the service remains the
only route you have offered little to no clarity on continuing and has no promise of funding beyond
the cut off date at the end of the month. The situation is clearly untenable and needs to be
addressed by the Combined Authority as a matter of urgency.
Sadly, the problems will not end with a mere reinstatement of the service. Even while the service is
running, buses are regularly cancelled without warning or sit idly in Drummer Street, the driver in
place but no access allowed. Constituents are often left waiting for almost an hour, at which point a
bus may or may not appear, and if it does not at the time specified by Stagecoach. If you are to take
charge of this service or find a replacement, we would appreciate a guarantee that the service will be
run to the highest possible standard.
All of this comes at a time of great uncertainty for our community. Hardwick is already isolated, and
it takes time for news to filter through our community. Many of those most affected by these
changes do not benefit from online updates and require a thorough process of engagement to be
heard. So far, your responses have largely been targeted at the media, with little information offered
to residents directly or their councillors at all levels. As local representatives, we would appreciate
more transparency and stand ready to assist in disseminating key information to our constituents.
In light of the concerns above, we would appreciate a full and open response to the following
questions:
1. What reassurance can you offer that services between Hardwick to Cambridge will be reinstated?
2. What is your strategy to offer a more reliable service for the same area?
3. Will you undertake a full engagement process with residents to ensure they are informed and
understand what the future options are for transport in the area.
We would be grateful for reassurance that steps are being taken to ensure that Hardwick and
Caldecote to have a functioning, regular bus service after 30th October.
Anthony Browne MP
Cllr Lina Nieto, Hardwick and Toft