An extra meeting has been called to discuss the proposed Cambridge congestion charge and the potential next steps. 

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has put together several “illustrative scenarios” suggesting changes to the scheme following the public consultation. 

Members of the joint assembly and the executive board will meet to discuss these suggestions ahead of the executive board making any decision on progressing the scheme. 

The GCP announced proposals for a Sustainable Travel Zone (STZ) last year, which proposed a £5 weekday charge for drivers in the city between 7am and 7pm. 

A number of exemptions and discounts to the road charge had been proposed, including for Blue Badge holders, and people on low incomes. 

The congestion charge was proposed to help fund an extended bus network, with more frequent and cheaper buses.  

The GCP has said these improvements would be put in place before any road charge was implemented. 

Over 24,000 people responded to the public consultation about the plans, with 70 per cent saying they were in favour of the proposed transport network improvements, but 58 per cent opposed to the congestion charge itself. 

The first meeting to discuss the results was held earlier this month (June 8). 

Members of the joint assembly shared their differing views on the proposals, and overall decided that they supported adaptations being explored, but asked for more information to be made available about changes and potential impacts. 

Following this meeting several potential scenarios have been put together by the GCP looking at possible changes to the proposed congestion charge. 

A meeting has now been called for next Monday (June 26) to allow members of the joint assembly and the executive board to all discuss the suggestions. 

A report published ahead of the meeting said the options were created with the aim of “balancing” the feedback with the “benefits and ability to deliver the scheme in a way that continues to meet objectives”. 

It said the “illustrative scenarios” were “neither exhaustive nor final”. 

The first scenario suggests the charge being applied for peak hours only in the morning and afternoon.  

Cars and smaller vans would face a £5 charge, however it includes a 100 per cent discount for hospital visitors, patients and staff who park at the hospital. 

The second scenario suggests keeping the original plans, but adding several ‘free days’, starting with 180 in 2026, and reducing to 50 in 2029. 

The third scenario suggests for the charge to apply during peak morning and afternoon hours, the charge reduced to £3 for cars, and a 100 per cent discount for hospital visitors, patients, and staff who park at the hospital. It also includes 100 free days in 2027 and 2028. 

The report added that doing nothing remained an option in terms of the congestion charge. 

The discussions from the meeting are due to be considered by the executive board when it meets later the same week (June 29) to decide on the next steps.