GBW History

14 Dec. 2010

Bus-way contractors BAM Nuttall have informed the Council that they plan to run buses on Thursday 16 December, so that the traffic signals along the route can be tested. Warning notices are being distributed and road users and users of the service track are urged to take extra care whilst the tests are in progress. Hopefully, this means that the end is in sight and we will see the Guided Bus-way open to buses and the public early in 2011. So much money has been invested in this historic project that it is in every one’s interest that it is a success.

11 Jun. 2010

We appear to be no further forward! The Guided Bus-way is incomplete with many snaggings left to be completed by the contractor. According to press reports the relationship between the council and the contractor appears to be at a very low ebb. Fines are accumulating, and unless the two sides can come together and resolve the issues, the only likely outcome appears to be a highly expensive court case.

Many people are now asking why didn’t they just use the existing railway tracks and use a train service instead! With hind-sight and the global recession perhaps this would have been the cheaper option. However the decision was made to create the Guided Bus-way and now the council and the contractor should be doing everything they can to make the project work. The pride of Britain is at stake here. It has been championed as the biggest Guided Bus-way in the world. If we are not careful it is on course to being the biggest joke in the world too! Too much money has been spent on this project for it not to work. Lets hope the council and the contractor can resolve their differences quickly and get this project back on track!

20th Apr. 2010

Although it appears that the County Council and the contractors have reached some formed of agreement on the outstanding issues surrounding the Guided Bus-way, no official opening date has been announced. It appears that the remaining work required to get the Guided Bus-way open is causing significant delays. We will of course monitor the situation. It is a shame that such a historic moment in our local history should be marred by such difficulties. As far as we know until the Guided Bus-way is officially open the service track remains part of a construction site and should not be used by members of the public.

When the Guided Bus-way is officially open we will try and include some information or links which will help people use the buses and service track to the best advantage. We will try and include information on some of the history that can be discovered along its route. It may be a modern structure but the creation of the Guided Bus-way is a major event in history of Longstanton & District. LDHS is proud that our members have been able to record this event as it happens.