Summary
The first metro mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will need a vision for the city region and clear strategic, deliverable policies to meet it.
The challenge and workload will be considerable, with powers and expectations ranging from delivering policy, to establishing the institutions and capacity for effective city region governance. This briefing outlines three priorities that address the biggest issues facing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It also offers steps to help the new metro mayor have an impact in their first term.
- A ‘quick win’ will help the mayor to set the tone for delivery right from the start.
- Strategic decisions form the framework for delivering the metro mayor’s vision.
- A long term vision for the city region will be the key election platform – it is what the mayor is working towards while in office.
Policy priority 1: A quick win –
Fund improvements to public transport in underserved areas and tackle traffic problems by introducing a congestion charge in Cambridge
- Ease growing traffic pressures in Cambridge by introducing a congestion charge
- Commit to investing revenues from the scheme to enable radical improvements to public transport
- Use new mayoral powers offered to mayors to reregulate bus services, better linking people living near Cambridge and Peterborough to job opportunities in and around the cities
Policy priority 2: A strategic aim –
Put in place a spatial plan to address housing pressures and provide commercial space where it is required
- Make Peterborough city centre a more attractive place to do business
- Build consensus on the need for housing and commercial space
Policy priority 3: A longer term vision –
Address low skills levels, particularly in and around Peterborough
- Tackle poor school performance in Peterborough
- Improve the qualifications of those already in work
Please note: Nigel Hugill, Chair of Centre for Cities, is also Executive Director for Urban & Civic, which is overseeing the Alconbury Weald housing development in Cambridgeshire. To avoid any conflict of interest, Nigel has not been involved with the writing and development of this briefing.
