Paul Bristow, elected as the Conservative Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on May 2, 2025, promised to “Get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Moving.” One hundred days into the job, which ended in mid-August, the question is: how much has he delivered, and how far has he come in keeping his manifesto pledges?
Early Momentum and a Clear Message
From day one, Bristow sought to set a tone of urgency and visibility. “Today, I’m ending the war on motorists and making sure public money is spent where it matters,” he declared in his first speech, scrapping a target to cut car miles by 15% by 2030 — a policy he branded “anti-driver.”
His early months have revolved around transport, infrastructure, and fiscal restraint — all central planks of his manifesto. But like many directly elected mayors, he faces the challenge of balancing quick wins with the slower grind of big infrastructure projects.
Transport: Cheap Buses, Protected Routes, and Pro-Driver Policies
Transport was Bristow’s main campaign battleground, and it is where he has delivered the most visible results so far.
- Tiger Bus Pass: The £1 bus fare for under-25s, at risk of expiring, has been extended until March 2026. Bristow has called it “a straightforward change with a big impact,” and has promised to seek a permanent version.
- Protecting Bus Routes: The Combined Authority stepped in to save services such as the 33 (March to Whittlesey), the 31 (Ramsey to Whittlesey), and the 9/X9 (Cambridge to Littleport). By reissuing tenders, Bristow ensured continuity for rural and commuter services that otherwise risked the axe.
- Ending the “War on Motorists”: Scrapping the mileage reduction target and ruling out congestion charging fulfilled one of his clearest campaign pledges. “While I am Mayor, I shall fight any plans from Labour or Lib Dems to introduce road charging in Cambridge, Peterborough, or elsewhere,” he posted on X.
Together, these steps show a focus on affordability, accessibility, and political symbolism — positioning himself firmly as a mayor for drivers and ordinary commuters.
Infrastructure: Big Promises, Early Steps
Infrastructure projects are slower to judge in just 100 days, but Bristow has worked to move the dial.
- Fens Reservoir:“The Government’s decision to designate the Fens Reservoir as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) is a vital step forward for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and a clear recognition that our region needs new water infrastructure,” he said.
“I have been calling for the Fens Reservoir to be sped up for months, and I’ve promised to get it delivered. I’m glad the Government is now listening. As one of the fastest growing regions in the UK, water is a pressing issue, impacting communities, agriculture and our natural environment including rare chalk streams. This designation will fast-track the planning process, but the Government must now fast-track delivery to end the 33-year drought of new reservoirs.”
He added: “But this project can deliver more than just much needed water security. When delivered, the Fens Reservoir should serve as a true community asset offering facilities for tourism, leisure and more. It has potential to become a destination in its own right, helping our region to be healthier, wealthier and happier. We should be ambitious; Discover Rutland estimates visitors to Rutland Water contribute £150 million to the local economy. We can achieve similar benefits here.”
He said Labour’s designation of the reservoir as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project “is a vote of confidence in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s ability to play our part in achieving the ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor”
Other projects:
- Light Rail in Cambridge: He has pitched a light rail system linking Cambourne to Cambridge, calling for a southern route as an alternative to the contentious East-West Rail plans. This proposal is at the discussion stage, but marks progress toward his pledge.
- Road Upgrades: On dualling the A10, A47, and A141 — all key manifesto promises — there has been little concrete progress in the first 100 days. Bristow has acknowledged these are long-term battles requiring Treasury backing.
- Faster Trains: Similarly, his ambition to improve express train services between Cambridge, Ely, and Peterborough has yet to bear fruit. He has lobbied on the Ely junction bottleneck, but tangible change is still distant.
As he admitted in one recent statement: “These are just the first steps … the hard yards of making the case for road and rail upgrades, housing delivery, skills investment, and major infrastructure are underway.”
Fiscal Responsibility: Restraint and Reforms
Bristow campaigned on a promise to freeze the Mayoral precept — the extra charge on council tax bills — and not to “squeeze families.”
So far, he has:
- Committed publicly to a precept freeze.
- Cut costs by downgrading the Business Board (which advises on local economic strategy) to an advisory-only role. He has begun scrapping allowances for its chair, vice-chair, and members, redirecting funds to frontline priorities.
While freezing the precept is technically a pledge for future years, the early financial decisions suggest Bristow is serious about following through.
Economic Promotion: Putting the region on the map
Bristow has also worked to market Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to investors. In May, he represented the area at the UK Real Estate, Investment, and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), pitching it as a hub for jobs, housing, and growth.
Picture by Terry Harris.
He argues this external advocacy is crucial: “Bringing this region together is key. Whether it’s councils, MPs, business leaders, or community groups, we are stronger when we speak with one voice.”
Public Sentiment and Political Landscape
Online reaction has been mixed but broadly supportive among his base. Posts on X show him championing his motorist-friendly stance and highlighting investment wins. Supporters praise his visibility and pace, while critics note the lack of immediate progress on big-ticket items like dual carriageways and rail.
Politically, Bristow must navigate a fragmented landscape:
- The Liberal Democrats dominate Cambridgeshire County Council.
- Reform UK surged in Fenland, finishing just five points behind him in the mayoral race.
- His own Conservative Party faces internal debates about direction after a bruising General Election defeat.
That makes partnership — and delivery — essential if Bristow is to consolidate support beyond his narrow first-round victory (28.4% of the vote).
How Many Promises Kept?
Bristow’s manifesto contained six headline commitments. After 100 days:
- End the War on Motorists – ✅ Kept: mileage reduction target scrapped, road charging ruled out.
- Deliver the Fens Reservoir – 🔄 In progress: secured NSIP status, planning fast-tracked.
- Build Light Rail in Cambridge – 🔄 In progress: proposal submitted, southern route advocated.
- Stop Increasing Taxes – 🔄 In progress: precept freeze pledged, Business Board cuts delivered.
- Dual Main A-Roads (A10, A47, A141) – ❌ Not yet addressed: no movement in 100 days.
- Connect Cities with Faster Trains – ❌ Not yet addressed: lobbying started, but no service changes.
In short: 1 promise kept, 3 in progress, 2 not yet addressed.
Successes, Limitations, and the Road Ahead
Bristow’s first 100 days show energy and early wins. Extending the Tiger Pass, protecting buses, and scrapping anti-motorist policies have delivered tangible benefits to residents. Progress on the reservoir and light rail, though incomplete, signals intent.
But the hardest promises — A-road dualling and faster trains — remain untouched, reflecting the difficulty of securing central government funding and overcoming planning hurdles. His pledge to freeze taxes also faces tests if inflationary pressures squeeze local budgets.
The bigger question is whether Bristow can transform quick symbolic wins into lasting change. As he himself put it: “If I can make real change in people’s lives, if I can make the role matter, then people will take notice.”
For now, Paul Bristow has made a start. Whether the momentum lasts into his first year — and beyond — will determine if his mayoralty is remembered for more than its opening act.
