Comments on the proposed route for the controversial Cambourne to Cambridge busway project must be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport by Wednesday, 8 January.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership plans to build the off-road busway – which could cost £230million – to improve journeys between the town and city. But the route would take it through Coton Orchard, requiring the felling of more than 500 fruit trees, including 12 century-old Bramley apple trees recognised by the Woodland Trust as irreplaceable.
Coton Orchard. Picture: Anna Gazeley
A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application was submitted to the Secretary of State by the county council, as the transport authority for Cambridgeshire, in November. It will give the council powers to compulsorily purchase land owned by those who oppose the scheme.
More than 22,000 people have signed a petition against the plans.
The Coton Busway Action group says an alternative on-road route would be cheaper and less destructive, but the GCP says it would not provide the same benefits as an off-road route.
The action group said: “We are asking all supporters of the C2C busway campaign if they would submit an objection to the GCP’s proposed route.”
It has put together guidelines at cotonbuswayaction.com to help supporters respond.