From our Local County Councillor

BUS SERVICES have been the major item of interest recently, in three areas.

1. The operation of a half-hourly bus service has begun, now re-numbered route 10.
2. The cutting of £250,000 from the budget that supported buses that were not economical has resulted in the axing of the buses after 5.00pm that divert to Reach. This seems very short sighted if we want people to use buses more, particularly to go to work.
3. The saga of the "Free Bus Passes" for all pensioners continues as I write this. I am clear however that it is the fault of a government who are implementing a policy without thinking it through and funding it fairly across the country. Cambridgeshire has not been funded adequately once again and Districts and Counties have been left to bear the brunt of the criticism. I hope that by the time you read this there will be a more satisfactory arrangement with the bus companies and that travel beyond our district borders will be free for pensioners.

The Environment and Community Services Scrutiny Committee met to look at issues related to the treatment of domestic waste. Following this there is a reaffirming of the commitment to waste minimisation and increasing recycling as well as sending less to landfill.

The Private Finance Initiative Board have also entered into a period of "exclusive negotiation" with Donarbon Ltd whose proposals the Council favours, following a detailed evaluation of three bids. These proposals include a new Mechanical Biological Treatment facility at Donarbon's Waterbeach site for the treatment of residual waste, as well as in-vessel composting of kitchen and garden waste and additional recycling at the network of Household Waste Recycling Centres across the county.

The figures for traffic flow in Burwell have been received. They compare November 2003 (before the opening of the Fordham bypass) with November.2004. It shows a drop in vehicle movements that has surprised myself (and others) as the perception is that there has been an increase Ðcertainly by those who use the Quy interchange. The combined flow has dropped from 14,980 to 11,389.

I have also had the opportunity to spend a very enjoyable day with the Fire and Rescue Service in East Cambridgeshire finding out about the work that is being carried out by firefighters on a day-to-day basis. It included issues such as community fire safety, partnership working and local initiatives.

At Ely Fire Station I was able (under supervision) to use the new cutting equipment they have for use at road traffic incidents.

Hazel Williams

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