Future Cambridge congestion charge could be considered

The congestion charge proposals divided Cambridge residents

Leading Cambridgeshire councillors have admitted they would consider a congestion charge in the future.

A Sustainable Transport Zone for Cambridge was withdrawn in September after political support collapsed.

The proposals would have seen car drivers charged £5 per day to drive in the city at certain times.

At a full county council meeting on Tuesday, some councillors in the ruling administration said it should be available as a future option.

The Making Connections Project looked at ways to reduce traffic, with proposals for an improved bus service, partly funded by a congestion charge.

During the consultation, passionate debate took place on both sides. Opponents argued it was a regressive tax. Those in favour said it would make roads safer.

Congestion is a big problem in parts of Cambridge city centre

For local political parties the issue was divisive.

The Conservative Party, who are in opposition at Cambridgeshire County and South Cambridgeshire District Councils, were against it.

They also secured their only seat at Cambridge City Council following a by-election in July. They credited the congestion charge for their victory.

Both Labour and Liberal Democrats were divided over the issue.

'Mixed views'

As revised proposals were put forward, the ruling Liberal Democrats at South Cambridgeshire said they would not support it. This was swiftly followed by a similar announcement from Cambridge Labour.

With political support dwindling, the Greater Cambridge Partnership, who put forward the proposal, withdrew the plans.

On Tuesday, the first full meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council since that decision took place.

A motion was put forward by the Conservative opposition leader Steve Count, which called for new meetings with local authorities to discuss congestion.

Crucially, it stated the meeting should "discuss ... solutions that do not rely on any element of road charging."

A debate lasting several hours took place. Conservative members re-iterated their opposition to it. Members of other political parties had mixed views.

Labour councillor Michael Black described congestion charging as "dead as a Dodo", claiming trade unions also had a role in opposing it.

But Liberal Democrat Susan van de Ven said congestion charging "needs to be a tool in the box" in the future.

Alex Beckett, who is the chair of Highways and Transport at the county council, said: "Ruling out road pricing is utterly silly."

He said that as government tax revenue from petrol reduces, it will become necessary for them to introduce road pricing.

The motion was defeated with 21 councillors voting in favour and 31 against.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone]