Building a truly integrated transport network for Cambridge

Every month I write an article for the Cambridge Independent which is later published on the Cambridge City Council website as my ‘Leader’s Blog’. In September I picked up on my long-term interest in railways and transport strategy.

If you remember the 1970s British Rail slogan “Let the train take the strain”, you may also recall that carriages were old and rattling and signal boxes were magnificent brick buildings by the side of the track. Things have changed a lot since then and, over the last decade in particular, regional railways have been quietly increasing their capacity and comfort while the network has been transformed by technology.

We can see the difference in Cambridge. Platforms have been lengthened across the network so train operators can run longer trains by adding extra carriages. In some cases they have doubled the length of the train, massively increasing passenger capacity. Alongside these physical changes, we have seen significant improvements to train schedules, steadily boosting the frequency of services connecting Cambridge with surrounding areas. And of course we have two new stations.

These visible changes have been made possible by essential work behind the scenes (read more).

Reviewing my first three months

I became the Leader of Cambridge City Council at our meeting on June 1, a little over 100 days ago, and it’s been rather busy but intensely rewarding since then and I have I’ve found it stimulating and, in almost every respect, enjoyable. I’m grateful to the Council officers and staff, and my fellow councillors from all parties, who have given me great support. We  all work hard to deliver for everyone in Cambridge.

A major focus has been making sure we can work together effectively with Labour as a minority adminstration – we have fewer than half of the seats on the council and can only make decisions with support from other councillors. 

I said in June that all the parties, have a vital and active role to play in the future success of Cambridge and I think we have managed to bring everyone together, with cross-party consultation, transparency, and a focus on delivering key community priorities that reflect the city’s evolving political landscape. That doesn’t mean we always agree, but we are working to find compromises and ways to be effective.

Continue reading “Reviewing my first three months”

Running the Cambridge 10K

I’ve run the Cambridge half-marathon four times – the photo is from 2025, but this year I’m going for the 10K as I wasn’t well enough in the Spring. I’ll admit that I’m partly inspired by the sight of PM Andy Burnham completing the Great North Run but I’m looking forward to seeing my fellow runners again and supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK in their important work.

See you on October 4th – all the details are on the Muscular Dystrophy UK website.

Looking at the cobbles

There’s some concern about the issue of the cobbles in the market square and how they should be treated. I wanted to show you some of the examples of what’s there now, or nearby, and what we’re hoping to do.

In this video you can see the current cobbles and an example of what we propose. And before you ask a ‘sett’ is the name for a rectangular or square cobble stone.

What do you think?

Joining the dots between water, food, and a growing city

Each month I write a column for the Cambridge Independent (online here but it will ask you to acccept coookies or pay) that’s also published on the City Council website.

However I believe in a principle known as POSSE, which stands for Publish (on your) Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere. You never know when someone else’s site will go away or add a paywall, so it’s worth having your own copy, under your control.

So here it is.

As the leader of Cambridge City Council, I often find myself reflecting on the issues that keep us up at night, not just as politicians, but as neighbours, parents, and members of a vibrant, interconnected community. And the recent hot weather, which has made it hard to sleep for many of us, has given me lots of time to consider the connections between climate change and two of the issues which got me into local politics in the first place – water and food.

Before I became a councillor I studied food policy and campaigned for food security. In 2024 the council’s support for the Cambridge Sustainable Food Partnership helped the city obtain a Gold Award from Sustainable Food Places, recognising Cambridge as leading the way in transforming local food systems to better serve our communities, the environment and the local economy.

However, it was always clear that water supplies in Cambridge were limited and precious, and the needs of farmers, developers and residents sometimes came into conflict. In 2019 I organised awater crisis forum with experts and local people to talk about the wider issues of how to get enough water to support the city as it developed, and the use of water for farming was one of the issues we discussed.

Continue reading “Joining the dots between water, food, and a growing city”

The future of Market Square

I was on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire with Dotty McLeod this morning, where I was joined by long-standing market trader Zoe Hardinge to talk about the future of the market, as a planning application is coming to the planning committee next Wednesday.

I know how important the market is to Cambridge, and go there regularly myself. In thinking about its future we want to preserve its vibrant, colourful character of our market while ensuring our stallholders can trade there successfully for years to come. We also want to make sure that the market square itself is a great civic space for everyone, especially in evenings when the market isn’t operating.

During our conversation, Zoe highlighted several practical concerns from experienced traders, particularly around future rent structures and the proposed balance between fixed, open, and demountable stalls. I agreed with her that traders need clarity on these rates so they can plan ahead with confidence. Retaining our existing stallholders and helping them run successful, profitable businesses remains central to our vision, which is why we’re putting in special arrangements to relocate stalls while the work is being carried out.

To make the square fit for modern use, we are also delivering essential background infrastructure. We are upgrading water supplies, drainage, and power across all stalls, replacing the current uneven surfaces with a single level floor for improved accessibility, and moving commercial bins underground to create a cleaner, more hygienic environment. Environmental sustainability is embedded throughout the design, featuring insulated roofs and solar panels on fixed stalls, green roofs on semi-permanent stalls, new tree planting along the northern edge, and the full restoration of the plumbing of the central fountain.

And the layout of the market stalls themselves will adapt as needs change. If future demand shows we need a different proportion of open or demountable space, we have the flexibility to adjust.

Beyond daily trading, Market Square is the civic heart of Cambridge, sitting directly in front of the Guildhall. By using stalls that can be put aside during quieter winter months or special events, we can create an adaptable, welcoming space for wider community gatherings while ensuring permanent traders continue to operate seamlessly year-round. Our ultimate goal is to create a safe, bustling, and beautiful civic space that honours our heritage, supports local businesses, and serves everyone in our community.

Listen here – scroll forward to 2:07:45