Councillor Lewis Herbert Letter
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Recipient: Councillor Lewis Herbert Letter: Greetings, In late September I heard from a client who was concerned about how we, Grabbit and Run couriers, were going to be able to service them once the changes the Council are planning for Cambridge by way of peak time congestion charging were implemented. Firstly, I was dumbfounded as I had no knowledge of the plans. My husband then attended a meeting at Wolfson College where he was staggered to learn that the consultation was not about ‘if’ we wanted the changes, but rather ‘where’ we wanted them – which frankly doesn’t seem much of a consultation. Once I mentioned this to other ‘business owners’ it became clear that they too had no idea this was happening. Since this lack of awareness seemed to be almost 100%, and no one seemed to think the impact this would have made any degree of commercial sense, I started an online petition with change.org. We quickly gained responses from a real cross representation of people in Cambridge, from residents, commuters and people who work in the city and of course the hundreds of businesses who operate throughout the city. The response has been incredible – with over 9000 people signing and commenting – all of whom did not know your plans and yet will be directly and adversely affected by the planned changes. It is staggering that so many people from so many walks of life are completely horrified by the plans which will prevent them from going about their normal, everyday lives unless they can fit their lives around 10-4pm or make substantial increases in distance, time taken and inconvenience. For example - builders who won’t be able to get to site, electricians and plumbers unable to attend urgent jobs, delivery drivers unable to deliver or collect, un-registered carers unable to care for relatives, a swimming coach who has no idea how anyone will actually be able to attend after school swimming lessons. ………the list is endless. Thousands of individuals, each with their own story. Since discovering your plans just a week and a half ago, we have encouraged people to go to your site and comment on your plans, however the questionnaire is so skewed in favour of the changes, it’s hard to view it as remotely fair or independent. I hope that you will take the time to read the comments on our Change.org petition from over 9,000 people completely opposed to the congestion point solution – which your own advisor (from Nottingham) said had not been used in Nottingham due to the damage that would be caused to business in the City. It’s frankly hard to see how a scheme that will decimate business and so adversely affect so many thousands of people can remotely be viewed as helping deliver the Cambridge Phenomenon. In a technological town like Cambridge, surely we could come up with a better solution rather than having this one option forced upon us? One “solution” I might add which seems to benefit so few and will be adversely life changing for so many. Comments Name Location Date Comment Peter Howard Wicken, United Kingdom 2016-09-28 We're being railroaded into accepting this as a 'done deal' from a council who don't seem to think it matters about businesses losing trade or their employees not being able to easily access work. All options need to be considered and put to a PUBLIC vote BEFORE taking such draconian action. Senior members of the council team have left in protest at this approach and the council needs to stop playing politics and work in a way that helps build Cambridge enterprise, not cut it off at the knees! Julie Wilson Perry, United Kingdom 2016-09-28 It will make working in Cambridge impossible Lisa Ashton Great Shelford, United 2016-09-28 its going to cause my wife issues to get into work in the morning and also the Kingdom company I work for need to operate in the central areas first thing in the morning Caroline Hayward Haverhill, United 2016-09-28 I have to travel to Cambridge for work as there are no decent jobs in local town Kingdom these new measures will make it impossible to keep my job without having to catch a local bus service everyday which are very slow and most of the time unreliable they are crowded and cramped and I begrudge paying nearly £30 a week to stand up to travel to work for 2 hours everyday. I would t have an issue doing park and ride but they need to make adjustments to the price of the service for people who work within the city! We are contributing to the economy and I also pay my taxes! Why should I now be dictated to by the council how I get to my job! They should be bloody thankful at least I work and am not draining their funds! teresa nightingale canbridge, United 2016-09-28 It's a daft idea Kingdom Jill Allen Ely, United Kingdom 2016-09-28 This whole scheme is simply nonsensical. All it will do is shift traffic onto surrounding roads and not have the desired affect. c. nightingale Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 I'm signing because it's a joke, just goes to show what idea's a bunch of Kingdom muppets can come up with......lmao. Clare Freeman Waterbeach, United 2016-09-28 It will effectively bring an end to my children's swimming lessons as they wont Kingdom be able to get there. Which will be the same for all kids having swimming lessons in the city pools. Are they going to close down Parkside Pool as a result as it will become impossible to get there! Diane Barnes Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 I don't agree with the proposals as it will effectively "kill " parts of the city Also Kingdom how are community health workers supposed to visit clients in those roads affected which can't be reached by alternative routes ? My daughter is one...! Лиля Карпенко Wimpole, United 2016-09-28 I already bike halfway to town because it's so congested. If grange road closes Kingdom it will make my journey a nightmare! I have no park and ride near me in Wimpole and to get to either madingley road or trumping ton will take me hours. Charge a congestion charge instead!! Sue Nash Barrington, United 2016-09-28 I think it is a ridiculous idea who ever thinks this rubbish up obviously hasn't Kingdom thought of the people that need to get to work or the business that rely on being able to move round Cambridge freely or disabled drivers that can't use public transport, or the poor parents that have to get there kids to school karoline sparkes Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 It is hideous! Simply that - I live on Coldhams Lane - trapped. ASK Kingdom RESIDENTS THAT ARE AFFECTED - then listen to the answers Beatrice Criminisi Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 This is a terrible idea to relieve congestion in Cambridge. Please sign and Kingdom share if you live in Cambridge. Name Location Date Comment Tina wright Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 It's unfair to Cambridge residents - should be stopping outside residents Kingdom coming in ! Kostadin Dadrishki Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 That is Stupid Kingdom Beverley Calvey Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 This proposal has not been given enough thought, as always the council are Kingdom quick to revert to bicycles and park and ride as the answer to everything. This is not a city deal for the residents of Cambridge! Ian Wright Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 i work shifts at Addenbrookes hospital , there are no bus services when I start Kingdom and finish my shifts, how am I supposed to get to and from work ? Diane Brown Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 It has not been thought through and there are no contingency plans. Kingdom Stacey Gorman Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 I work in Cambridge and the plan is ridiculous. Kingdom Jo Markham Duxford, United Kingdom 2016-09-28 Keep Cambridge moving Robert Broyd Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 How am I suppose to go about my buissiness if all the roads are closed? Kingdom Paige Parker Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 This will affect the way I get to work, it's disgusting that this has even been Kingdom thought about. Lynda Myles Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 I will not able to do my business drop the children from one school to another Kingdom with baby with nd too Sharon Ogden Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 This is totally unfair to workers in Cambridge some of us don't have a choice Kingdom about the hours we work Patrick Calvey Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 This will bring Cambridge to a standstill, this needs a full public consultation Kingdom prior to any action taking place. Yet again CCC are steamrolling into a proposal that they have not given full consideration to. This is just another 'money making scam'. So long as you ride a bike you are fine. Take you pretentious heads out of your behinds and become part of the 'real world' Sharon Mann Ely, United Kingdom 2016-09-28 What a ridiculous idea! How on earth will people that need to travel in and out of Cambridge during business hours for work and school be able to do so?! Susanne Andrews Cambridge, United 2016-09-28 I need to use these roads at the time they will be closed, my grandchildren Kingdom have to get to school and I have a blind/disabled 1year old granddaughter that goes to a child minder , and my daughter works I have to get them all to their destinations I am also disabled Marie Hatch Great Wratting, United 2016-09-29 This would be a joke.