Bus tunnels may help reduce congestion in Cambridge - City

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 2nd Jun 2008

Cllr Sian Reid

A public meeting is being held at the Guildhall today to discuss feasibility studies for transport tunnels beneath the City of Cambridge.

Professor Robert Mair from the Department of Engineering of the University of Cambridge and representatives from Cambridge City Council will discuss recent studies which show that bus tunnels could relieve Cambridge streets of congestion.

Executive Councillor for Growth, Sian Reid, commented:

"We need to explore every possible way to improve bus traffic in Cambridge. This could be a very interesting way of reducing congestion and offering better public transport to Cambridge residents."

Professor Robert Mair added:

"New but proven tunnelling technology and favourable geology have demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of constructing tunnels beneath Cambridge for the purpose of bus tunnels.

"A system of bus tunnels has been successfully constructed and operated in Seattle, thereby relieving the streets above of congestion. The recent studies for Cambridge have shown that there would be minimal damage to overlying buildings and that the bus tunnels would provide a major environmental benefit to the historic city."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) Councillor Sian Reid is available at 07770 382 190.