A Cambridge congestion charge could still be considered

The idea of congestion charging continues to fuel political debates in Cambridgeshire.

A Sustainable Transport Zone for Cambridge was thrown out last month after political support collapsed.

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

However, councillors at Cambridgeshire County Council argued this week whether road charging should be kept on the table in the future.

Conservative members argued road charging should be left in the “rear-view mirror”, but others said they needed to be able to “look at all the tools in the box”.

At a full County Council meeting on October 17 2023, Councillor Steve Count, Conservative, put forward a motion to find solutions that "go beyond road charging".

Councillor Susan van de Ven, Liberal Democrat, said road charging was the most effective tool for cleaner air and better transport and access around Greater Cambridge.

Councillor Neil Shailer, Labour, said without enough central government funding to encourage people to change how they travel, he said there had to be some form of “ongoing income system”.

The motion fell after 31 councillors voted against it and 21 voted in favour.