Council Practises Busway Repairs

22 June 2011, 09:36 | Updated: 22 June 2011, 10:29

Workmen have been practising how to remove a broken down bus from the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.

Cambridgeshire County Council says the trials have been done to make sure the busway, which runs between Cambridge and St Ives, "remains reliable in the event that a bus needs to be towed out of the track".

If a bus breaks down on the busway, guided buses will be diverted around the section where a bus is being recovered.

The busway is finally due to open on Sunday the 7th August, more than two years behind schedule.

It was supposed to be up and running back in April 2009, and is at least £31 million pounds over budget.

Ian Bates, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, said: "A broken down train between Cambridge and London this week meant trains were cancelled, but on The Busway buses will simply divert around a section if there is a problem.

This will cause minimal delays for other buses.

We expect it to be rare for a bus to need to be towed, but the process will be quick, easy and we will be able to keep services running without long delays.

It is important for The Busway to offer a reliable, fast and frequent service and these recovery trials help make sure that is the case under all circumstances."