In @cambridgeindy.bsky.social this week

😂

The C2C Inquiry has been grimly eye opening. Tens of thousands in public funds buy hired “experts”. Most communities are without the help we’ve had from charities. If Coton Orchard cannot be saved when the scheme makes no ecological, transport or fiscal sense, what hope is there for anywhere else?

Like the government’s grand announcements of planting new forests & ‘nature recovery’ it’s the oldest trick, distraction so we don’t notice its destruction for private profit. Saplings will take decades of care, grace of nature, sun & water, to mature. While a century old tree lost in a moment 🌱🌳

Bonkers plan for one of the driest, hottest and most nature depleted county in UK 💧

Snap

Very eloquent, as is Mr Baker of Gough Way that followed. I hope the Inspectors go and stand in those roads themselves to see how they cannot accommodate the numbers of buses “imagined” (because they don’t do bus services) by the GCP to justify this scheme.

Prof. Hirst was exceptional. The County KC shameful.

Back-of-the-envelope calc: the £18m County has blown on experts and fees (so far) to defend the C2C bonkers busway route could have covered Arthur Rank Hospice’s annual funding for nearly 22 years (today’s prices, or 12–16 years once you allow for inflation) Priorities❓

The Inquiry runs till 21 November, the Inspectors will give their opinion to the Secretary of State for Transport and she’ll decide on whether to grant the order and let County compulsory purchase the land and cleave Madingley Hill and Coton Orchard in two. Likely find out in 2026.