East Cambs leader Anna Bailey comments on Ely travel plans

"I am delighted with the news the government has announced plans to improve Ely Railway Junction and the A10 between Ely and Cambridge.

"The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme to allow more trains to run through Ely is something, we as a council, have been championing for many years providing it includes a road transport solution at Queen Adelaide.

"The project will remove an expected 98,000 lorry journeys each year from roads in the region, particularly the A14, cutting down massively on CO2 emissions and reducing congestion.

"I am also confident this will pave the way for improving rail services through Soham. We want to see hourly trains (rather than the current two hourly service), relaying of the missing track, known as the Snailwell Loop or Newmarket curve, and doubling of the track to facilitate better services including direct trains from Soham to Cambridge.  

"I am also delighted with the announcement the £2 bus fare has been extended until the end of 2024 and nationally, money has been set aside for road resurfacing to combat potholes, an issue which we have long campaigned for in our region.

"Such investment is good for the district, good for the environment, great for our economy and benefits the majority of residents.

"In light of this announcement we will to continue to work with Network Rail and the Ely Area Task Force to develop a comprehensive road and rail solution to upgrading the railway that meets the needs of all East Cambridgeshire residents, and in particular the communities of Queen Adelaide, Prickwillow and Ely.