Investigating Busway faults - the costs so far...

The Cambridge News has used FoI powers to extract from the County Council the costs, over the past 3 years, of "investigatory works" on outstanding faults. This is before any money''s spent on fixing them. Of course, it's possible that some or all of the costs might be recoverable from BAM Nuttall. The story includes, inevitably, a quote from Cllr Mike Mason.

Figures exclude legal costs.

The Cambridge News story can be read here.

Busway "emergencies"

The Cambridge News has used FoI requests to obtain a breakdown of what it describes as "emergencies" on the Busway in the past 18 months. There were 38 of them. Follow this link for the full story, including a slideshow of 10 photos of such incidents (all but one of the photos are of vehicle incursions - presumably because broken traffic lights aren't especially photogenic).

Opinions seem to differ as to whether poor signage might be partly responsible for the vehicle incursions. Cllr Mason, on past evidence no great friend of the Busway, would like to see prosecutions to back up earlier threats.

Histon station handed back to previous owner

The Cambridge News, seemingly prompted by Cllr Mike Mason, published a story whilst I was away on holiday about the handing back of the old railway station at Histon - which had been acquired by the County Council through compulsory purchase as part of the Busway project - to its previous owner. The CN report also explains how much the purchase, and subsequent disposal, cost the County Council. However, the Council claims that its decision to purchase the station in the first place was in response to the expressed wishes of local residents - including, it seems, Cllr Mason.

I don't have a view; I merely report and leave you to judge.

Photo by A Bethune

Busway 'cover-up'?

Councillor Mike Mason has submitted a motion to Cambridgeshire County Council's next meeting calling for a full investigation of the guided busway, including its £36 million overspend.

The Council Cabinet is due to discuss busway defects on 15 April - in private.

Read full article here.