Cambridge Connections has an exciting milestone coming up this week. Elected Members will be asked to approve the draft problem statements, and receive the draft strategic case for Cambridge Connections, at the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting is open to the public, and you are welcome to come or watch it on the livestream, which will be available on the day.

What: Strategic Planning and Policy Committee

When: 9.15 am, Wednesday, December 3

Where: Te Awamutu offices of Waipā District Council, 101 Bank Street

What are draft problem statements?

We need to know what the issues are, in order to find the best solutions.

Stage One of the project has focused on defining Cambridge’s transport vision and key challenges, informed by community feedback. This resulted in three overarching draft problem statements for the Cambridge Connections Transport Plan:

1. High growth and impacts on transport network: Rapid population and economic growth and development in and around Cambridge, coupled with high reliance on private vehicles and limited transport choices, is placing increasing pressure on the town’s transport network and wider network connections. This is increasing congestion and delays, posing safety risks, increasing emissions and negatively impacting on accessibility for the community. 

2. Through and across town traffic and freight vehicles accessing through residential areas and the town centre: Through and across town traffic and freight vehicles are accessing residential streets and Cambridge’s town centre, increasing the crash risk for road users, increasing congestion and diminishing the town’s amenity and character.

3. Limitations and resilience of river crossings: The ageing and limited capacity of bridge infrastructure, exacerbated by the lack of schools and essential services on the Leamington side of town is constraining reliable and resilient transport links between Cambridge and Leamington and the wider network.