…an election explainer
The Spring 2025 election campaign has included claims that the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will have more power over transport policy and practice than is, in fact, the case. So just for clarity here’s a quick break-down of who does what on transport in Cambridgeshire.
Cambs and Peterborough Combined Authority
This body is responsible for producing the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. This document sets transport policy within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including public transport and active travel. It has to be agreed by the Combined Authority Board (that’s a combination of the mayor and the county’s city and district councils). You can find out all about it here.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP)
The GCP is made up of representatives from Cambridge City, South Cambs and Cambridgeshire County councils, as well as business and enterprise leaders. Its main focus is the delivery of transport infrastructure projects in South Cambs and Cambridge City. It has £500m of central government funding for these projects, which include greenways. It works with the city, district and county councils. It’s accountable to us, the electorate, through our council representatives who sit on its board.
The Highways Authorities
The bodies with responsibility for highways (aka roads and pavements) in Cambridgeshire are the County Council – or in Peterborough, Peterborough City Council. They are in charge of mostly everything roady, from traffic enforcement officers to potholes. They make Traffic Regulation Orders, like the Mill Road bus-gate. The mayor can contribute funds to highways projects, but the mayor has no decision-making powers over the maintenance and development of the highways.
City and district councils
As noted above, reps from these bodies sit on the Combined Authority and GCP, and they also have responsibility for car parks and taxi licensing.