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Cambridge Town Crier November 14 2003

Support for rail return

CALLS for the return of a rail service between Cambridge and St Ives have been given support at two public meetings.

CAST. IRON, the Cambridge and St Ives Railway Organisation, has proposed a rail alternative to Cambridgeshire County Council's guided bus scheme. The plan would reopen the existing railway line linking Cambridge with St Ives, with a view to extend services to Huntingdon.

The audience at public meetings on November 4 and 11 were asked if they would support the idea in principle if it was cheaper than the guided bus. Fifty­ seven of the 58 people said yes at the first meeting and 76 of 78 people voted in favour at the second. Chairman of CAST.IRON, Tim Phillips, said: "I believe that the result will be the same at all the public meetings. There is no doubt in my mind that the vast majority of the people want rail when they are given the choice."

But Coun Shona Johnstone, cabinet member for transport, said: "They are not asking a fair question. We were accused of running a flawed consultation scheme because we consulted only on tile guided bus but that same argument could be used against CAST:IRON."

Public meetings will be held at Swavesey Village College, Gibralter Lane, on Wednesday, November 19, at 7.3Opm, and in Impington at the Holiday Inn, Cambridge Road, on December 2, starting at 7.3Opm.