Soham councillor Lucius Vellacott writes on transport

A lot has been happening in Soham recently. We’re about to get some duck warning signs on the High Street – thanks to our campaigning efforts – and consent was awarded for a new medical centre to be built.

I also found out we have Water Buffalo nearby at Kingfisher Bridge!

But my column this month is different, because something uncomfortable is happening.

Last year the residents of Cambridgeshire were consulted about the Cambridge Congestion Charge.

We said a resounding ‘no’. Ruling councillors refused a referendum. The unelected, unaccountable Greater Cambridge Partnership attempted to choose which parts of residents’ views they liked and which parts they didn’t.

This week we have seen a second consultation on the closure of Mill Road Bridge, after the first one resoundingly rejected this.

They also pulled out of a plan to challenge the Sunnica solar farm in court with other councils. It displays contempt for residents’ opinions and local unity.

It also seems that the ruling Liberal Democrat/Labour coalition are so far removed from reality that they believe rural dwellers can all stop driving and getting on buses.

But some people have to drive – young people want to obtain their freedom, young families, traders, night workers, van drivers… they all have no choice.

Lucius says many people need to drive. (Image: Newsquest)

It also gets much harder when the roads are in such a terrible state, when the money is there to fix them.

My message to them is this: you cannot regulate and impose your way into changing people’s behaviour. It is neither liberal nor democratic, and it is also impossible.

I said this in Soham when I was elected, and I say it again. We need carrots, not sticks, to encourage people to change, yet the county council provides only sticks.

The best leaders admit what they don’t know and seek advice from someone who does – like the residents of Cambridgeshire. It’s time for serious change.