A proposed new route linking the existing busway next to Cambridge Regional College to Waterbeach has entered the next step of planning.

The line will run from the Regional College, through farmland to Milton Park & Ride, then Landbeach, before terminating at a new travel hub in Waterbeach.

The hub should have space for 1600 cars and the project will also upgrade existing streets such as Butt Lane and Landbeach Road.

Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to submit a Transport for Works Order for this line. This is an essential stage required to begin work on any transport link in England.

In charge of the project, the Greater Cambridge Partnership made a statement saying it expected the order to be made this year ahead of a public inquiry in 2026.

However there have been objections to the proposed route.

Sarah Nicholas from charity Cambridge Past, Present and Future outlined fears surrounding the “two miles of countryside being damaged” if the proposed route is built.

She urged councillors to consider a route next to the current A10 road to avoid this.

Elisa Meschini, Labour chairwoman of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said that this idea had been rejected for various reasons, including disturbance to residential properties.

Meschini said this was ‘an important moment’ for the project.

“The adjoining walking and cycling path gives people more travel choices, making it quicker, easier and more reliable to get to where you need to go,” she said.

Meanwhile, a relocation of Waterbeach railway station is also being planned for the town. This is also part of the New Town Development, which will see Waterbeach have 11,000 homes upon completion.