Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee is due to discuss new safety improvement works planned for the guided busway
Cambridgeshire Live readers have been discussing the news that further improvement works are scheduled for the Guided Busway to maintain its safety. Councillors are set to consider the proposals at the upcoming Cambridgeshire County Council Highways and Transport Committee meeting.
The council reports there has been “significant progress” on safety enhancements throughout the past year. New safety fencing along the southern stretch is nearing completion.
To the north, work is progressing between Cambridge Regional College and Milton Road. Following this, contractors will proceed with installing separation fencing between Milton Road and Cambridge North station.
Procurement for works along the route from Histon to St Ives is anticipated in summer 2026, with construction scheduled to begin from late summer that year. The council states the Busway, which connects St Ives and Cambridge, provides access to employment, hospitals, and educational facilities, while the adjacent path remains popular with walkers, wheelers, cyclists, and horse riders.
Councillors will be asked on 30 June to approve continued delivery of safety works on the northern stretch. The £6 million cost will be funded from Major Infrastructure Reserves.
Temporary 30mph restrictions will be reassessed as new safety measures are completed, with variable speeds of up to 40–50mph on the northern stretch where appropriate. Readers have expressed a range of opinions.
Regarding future power systems, one reader, Orlockgrey says: “They should put overhead wires on, so we can run electric buses that aren’t weighed down by batteries. Also this would mean if we eventually decided to convert it to a light rail route, half the work will already have been done.”
Whynot2 replies: “Would those electric buses have diesel engines in so they can be used on non-overhead lines? But who’s going to pay for it? Will it be bus passengers, cyclists or perhaps pedestrians who use it? No, it’ll be everyone, even those that don’t use it.”
Orlockgrey answers: “Good idea – there are actually bi-mode buses in Boston that do this already. Public transport is essential for reducing traffic on the roads. Funding it helps the economy and makes the roads much nicer to drive on.”
Rhodabike says: “More improvement works? For that, you first you need to have ‘some’ improvement works. None of the works to date has improved anything. Rather like most other council/GCP infrastructure ‘improvements’.”
Freddly writes: “At least we seem to have moved on from blaming the bus franchise when people step onto the busway without looking. Good news also that the £6m cost is being met from Major Infrastructure Reserves, the Reserves might otherwise have been used on road projects that generate more car and van traffic.”
Over on our Facebook page, John M comments: “Get the drivers to drive properly, not race to junctions and swerve onto guided tracks, last used scared me stiff.”
Clare W asks: “Just curious as to why there are gaps between some of the metal panels where silly people can get through and on to the busway. I thought that was the whole point of putting them up to stop that.”
Kelvin A-D says: “More taxpayers money thrown at the Moneypit. So much for it only going to cost £42 million and have a service life of 40 years (Council Statement at the Public Enquiry).”
Are you happy that there is more improvement works scheduled to be carried out? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

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