Cambridgeshire Council Plans £4.7M Safety Barriers on Guided Busway After Three Deaths

Cambridgeshire County Council, fined £6 million for serious safety failings after three deaths on its 16-mile guided busway, is proposing to install fencing and barriers along the entire route to improve safety. The council acknowledged historical failures and has implemented a new safety regime since its sentencing, including installing a permanent and effective fence on a southern section of the busway in April 2024. Additional measures under consideration include addressing flooding on adjacent pathways with solutions like a pontooned walkway, though this could cost up to £5 million and requires further design work. Plans to widen footpaths and cycle paths have been reconsidered due to land ownership constraints and cost limitations, with the council instead recommending improved signage, markings, and lighting to enhance safety. The busway, which operates with guided buses that cannot steer, has been the site of fatal incidents between 2015 and 2021, prompting these comprehensive safety reviews and proposed infrastructure upgrades. The council continues to engage with stakeholders including emergency services and bus operators to develop effective safety solutions.