Cllr Tim Bick on King Street

Stagecoach was willing to divert all except its sightseeing bus, but requested the County Council to make it easier and safer for buses turning right onto Jesus Lane by removing some of the parking bays opposite.

Annoyingly the County Council bound this simple and straightforward issue into a big bid to the government for funding to make a range of other, unrelated improvements to bus routes into the city.

But we heard today that the Liberal Democrats in government have approved their application. This leaves the way clear to make the changes we have all been waiting for over the past few years!

We have always believed that King Street was not right to be the major bus channel that it has become. The noise and vibration simply is not acceptable in such a narrow roadway, in close proximity to homes and quite aged buildings.

This is the time for talking to stop and action to begin.

The County Council can no longer claim it doesn’t have the money to get on with this.

County Councillor Sarah Whitebread and City Councillor Tim Bick will be keenly chasing this up. It feels like we are now getting somewhere!

Neil McGovern, Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources, launched the code on Saturday at the Guildhall. Councillor McGovern commented:

“I welcome this initiative and the positive response from the punt operators, showing their commitment to uphold the values of best practice in the punting industry”

The increase in touting activity in the centre of Cambridge has been a cause for concern to residents and visitors in recent years. The vast majority of touts in the centre of Cambridge are associated with businesses operating from Garret Hostel Lane.

As of April 1, The Conservators of the River Cam will only grant commercial punt licenses to businesses operating from identified punt stations, those being:

• Granta Mill Pond

• Mill Pit west

• Mill Pit east

• Trinity College frontage

• Quayside

• “La Mimosa”

Companies operating from these identified stations have agreed a code of conduct to promote best practice when touting for business. The code includes an agreed touting area for each company, specifies a limit to the number of touts and also sets out standards of behaviour when dealing with members of the public.

Although the code is voluntary, all companies have indicated their willingness to sign, after which they will be able to display a symbol to publicise that they have agreed to adhere to the code.

The agenda is here.

This is your opportunity to ask questions of your local councillors.