Earlier this week I met with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor Paul Bristow to discuss how he can support communities across the Huntingdon constituency.
We discussed a range of issues affecting the area and how I can work with Paul to get the most out of the Combined Authority’s remit.
On buses Paul has committed to continue to support all of the bus routes connecting villages west of the A1. This is vital given the lack of additional investment by the previous administration as these routes are currently heavily subsidised per passenger. We also discussed reviewing these routes and identifying whether there could be new routes that better serve the travel needs of these communities; something I pledged to look at as part of my election pledges last year.
We also discussed how to regenerate our town centres, particularly St Ives, and where investment could be sourced to improve our market towns. I still firmly believe that pedestrianising the centre of St Ives, making Market Hill into a piazza to lift the town centre and make it a destination could change the fortunes of the area and encourage more businesses to fill the empty shop units, making it a shopping and entertainment centre going forwards - I would be keen to hear your thoughts on whether this would be welcome for the regeneration of St Ives?
I’ll continue to work with Paul and ensuring that Huntingdon stays at the forefront of any investment decisions and opportunities.
