Cambridge transport
Travelling into Cambridge city centre by car is not recommended if you can avoid it, nevertheless a number of regular alternatives are available.
Cambridge has a congested road network, because of its rapid growth since the twentieth century and several major roads intersect at Cambridge. The M11 motorway from east London terminates here. The A14 is a major freight route connecting the port of Felixstowe on the east coast with the Midlands, North Wales, the west coast and Ireland. But it is often congested. The A10, a former Roman road from north London, passes round the city on its way to Ely and King’s Lynn.
The city has a ring road, inside which there are traffic restrictions which have successfully reduced congestion and improved conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users.
By train
The rail station is just south of the City Centre. Cambridge railway station was built in 1845, with a platform designed to take two full-length trains. Cambridge has a direct rail links to King’s Cross (via Hitchin and the East Coast Main Line) and Liverpool Street (via the West Anglia Main Line) stations in London. There is a direct shuttle service to London King’s Cross every half hour during peak hours, taking only 45 minutes to reach London. It is also linked to King’s Lynn and Ely (via the Fen Line), Norwich (via the Breckland Line), Leicester, Birminghan, Ipswich and as well as London Stansted Airport. The railway service connecting Cambridge and Oxford, known as the Varsity Line, was discontinued in 1968.
By bus
Cambridge has a well developed bus service including five Park and Ride sites encouraging motorists to park near the city’s edge. This operates .frequent buses from five locations on the city (Drummer Street bus station or Emmanuel Street)
By air
Cambridge City Airport is owned by Marshall Aerospace. The runway can accommodate an unlade Boeing 747 or MD-11, but there is no regular scheduled service and it is mostly used by business and leisure flights. Removal of Marshalls to a site away from the city, with development of the airport site for housing, is a possibility over the next 5-10 years. Major airports, such as both Luton and Stansted, are within a convenient driving distance.
By taxis
The services of taxis are identified by the sign on the roof, it can be flagged down from the pavement, or you can phone for a pre-book vehicle. The private hire cars (mini-cabs) can be booked in advance by telephone. Both display official licence plates on the rear of the vehicle and all drivers carry identification cards. You should not get into a private hire care, if you have not ordered by telephone.
Cycling
Cambridge has a large number of cyclists. Many residents also prefer to ride a bicycle in the narrow, busy streets, giving the city the highest level of cycle use in the UK. A few roads within the city are adapted for cycling, the city also benefits from parks which have shared use paths. There are a few cycle routes in the surrounding countryside and the city is now linked to the National Cycle Network.
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