New mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, ‘gets things moving’ as his first day begins with action

A new mayor has hit the ground running with his first actions in support of his election pledge to ‘get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving’.

On day one, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, announced a clear shift in direction and momentum at the Combined Authority, setting out a new approach based on pace, purpose, and delivery.

The mayor’s first actions are:

- Standing up for drivers: The mayor has begun work on his pledge to “end the war on motorists”. From today, the target of reducing car miles driven by 15% by 2030 will no longer be applied.

- Strategic reset: Cllr Bristow has suspended the existing corporate strategy and mayoral pledges pending a full review. He says this reflects the need to align the Combined Authority’s strategic priorities with the clear policy direction set out in his manifesto.

- Pushing an alternative route for East-West rail: He has written to the East-West Rail Company to propose how a Cambridge light rail system could connect Cambourne to the city well before East-West Rail arrives.

He says this would unlock a quicker, cheaper southern route that avoids disruptive embankments through villages like Hardwick and Comberton, while still serving Cambridge South.

- Focusing on work in our region: He has also written to the government about ending the Combined Authority’s role as the accountable body for the Greater South East Net Zero Hub. Although hosted by the Combined Authority, he says, the vast majority of the Hub’s activities are outside Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with no direct impact on residents.

The Mayor has asked the government about how best to transfer responsibility to a more appropriate authority, ensuring the Combined Authority focuses on work that directly supports residents.

- Your money: The Combined Authority Business Board now has an advisory role only. With no future government funding for the board, the mayor has started the process of removing allowances for the chair, vice chair and members, in line with his manifesto pledge. He is determined to ensure public money is focused on frontline priorities and is re-evaluating all activity and funding.

- Getting a delivery-focused mayoral team in place: Key appointments have been made to support Cllr Bristow in delivering results for residents.

Cllr Bristow said: “I am determined to bring pace and purpose to being mayor, starting on day one. These are just the first steps in making the mayor matter to you.

“Today, I am ending the war on motorists, ensuring that your money is spent effectively, and putting my manifesto priorities in place.

“We are getting Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving.”