Stagecoach has warned of major disruption for thousands of passengers on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway after Cambridgeshire County Council announced sweeping new safety measures to cut bus speeds across the network.
From Monday, the speed limit will be slashed to 30mph along the entire Busway and 20mph at crossing points, while fencing and barriers are installed – a process not expected to finish until the end of 2026.
Stagecoach East Managing Director Darren Roe said the operator accepted safety improvements were essential but accused Cambridgeshire County Council of giving operators too little time to prepare for the changes.
“At Stagecoach, our highest priority is safety, so we are very aware of the importance of making safety improvements – the simple fact is that there is no option: this work needs to be done,” Roe said.
“However, the short notice that has been given to prepare for such significant changes is extremely disappointing, and we apologise to our loyal Busway customers that this will inevitably lead to delays and longer journey times for the period of the work. There is likely to be significant disruption as a result of these speed reductions – delays may be up to a minimum of 45 minutes.”
Stagecoach said it was drafting in extra buses and staff, with teams working around the clock to keep services running as close to schedule as possible. Passengers are being urged to allow extra time for journeys and use the Stagecoach app for live updates.
Stagecoach has warned of major disruption for thousands of passengers on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway after the county council announced sweeping new safety measures to cut bus speeds across the network.
The Busway – which runs between Cambridge, St Ives and Huntingdon and carries millions of passengers each year – has been dogged by safety concerns since opening in 2011. The latest restrictions follow a series of reviews into pedestrian risks and will also see the adjacent maintenance track slowed to 15mph, with a ban on motorcycles and high-powered e-bikes, in partnership with police.
A county council spokesperson said the speed cuts were a “temporary but necessary step” until permanent fencing and signage could be installed. “We’d like to remind people they must not trespass on the busway, and they must keep to the maintenance track or formal crossing points for their own safety.”
Passengers now face the prospect of significantly longer commutes on what was once billed as Britain’s fastest guided bus route.
