Bus users in H&I are set to benefit from a new scheme designed to enable bus travel without barriers.
Acknowledging that not all personal needs or disabilities are visible or immediately apparent, Stagecoach – which runs the number 8 bus route as well as the guided busway and park and ride buses – is introducing a new Journey Assistance Card that passengers can show to seek assistance on their journey.
The scheme is free for all Cambridgeshire residents who may need extra or specific help and support to travel on the bus. Stagecoach’s Journey Assistance Card will give the driver additional information and enable them to make sure the customer gets any extra assistance that they need. The range of cards read:
Please be patient I am visually impaired
Please give me time to sit in case I fall down
Please speak slowly and face me to help me hear better
Please count my change for me
Please be patient, I am deaf
Please tell me when we reach my stop
Please speak slowly, I am hard of hearing
Please be patient, I have a hidden disability
Please be patient, I have difficulty speaking
Please scan my pass for me
Please help me find a seat
Please let me know when we get to…
The bus operator is encouraging residents who may know of a bus passenger who would benefit from an Assistance Card to order them online here.
Ross Barton, Operations Director of Stagecoach East, said: “Our drivers pride themselves on offering the best possible service, but we know that sometimes our customers can be nervous to explain what they need, so our Journey Assistance Cards can really help to make the journey that bit easier”.
To apply for, renew, or replace a concessionary bus pass visit here.
A health and safety investigation is now underway after a 13-year-old boy was injured in a collision on the Busway. The incident happened on the afternoon of 4 March near Orchard Park.
The boy, a pedestrian, was struck by a single decker bus travelling in the direction of Cambridge. He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital by ambulance in a “serious condition”. An update from Cambridgeshire Police today (13 March) explained he “remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital” and his injuries are “not life-threatening”.
‘Aware and investigating‘
Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Executive has confirmed the collision is on its radar. “We are aware of the incident and are investigating,” its spokesperson said.
Stagecoach East previously acknowledged one of its vehicles was involved but a spokesperson explained it would not be appropriate to say anything further at this stage.
Cambridgeshire County Council, which is responsible for the Busway infrastructure, said it is working with the emergency services and other partners as “a full investigation is underway”.
Parish council discussion
Ros Hathorn, H&I’s councillor for Cambridgeshire County Council, has included Busway safety in her update for the Parish Council meeting on Monday (17 March).
In it, she said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends involved in the tragic incident on the Busway in early March.
She said: “I am pushing for local safety issues to be listened to and have heard rumours about new safety measures including fencing off ‘break throughs’ which will reduce the connectivity between the two sides of the Busway.
“So far I haven’t been able to get a clear response on what is planned.”
A bus service is unable to serve its usual route through Histon because of the temporary traffic lights outside Histon Chop Shop.
A notice placed at one of the affected bus stops says the changes to Service 8 will be “until further notice” and is due to “safety concerns” caused by the lights in Windmill Lane.
David Boden, Business Development Director of Stagecoach East, said: “The safety of our loyal passengers and our communities is always our number one priority.
“In this case, temporary traffic lights have been set up outside Histon Chop Shop, which means that, with regret, we are temporarily unable to serve the bus stops on Windmill Lane, Church Street, and Cottenham Road.
“We will be very pleased to resume our service to those stops as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The Service 8 route travels between Cambridge and Cottenham. Cambridgeshire County Council says the temporary lights are for emergency works. “Our highways team is contacting UK Power Networks and will ask them to rectify the situation,” a spokesperson said.
A 13-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries following a collision with a bus on the Busway at Orchard Park. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon (4 March) at around 3.45pm north of King’s Hedges Road.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson explained the collision was between the boy, a pedestrian, and a single decker bus travelling towards Cambridge. While the East Anglian Air Ambulance was called as part of the emergency response, the boy was transported by road to Addenbrookes hospital in a “serious condition”.
“There were no other injuries and no arrests,” the police spokesperson confirmed.
Cambridgeshire County Council explained the Busway, and the path that runs alongside it, were closed in both directions with diversions in place throughout the evening. The Busway reopened yesterday morning (Wednesday).
A County Council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the pedestrian and their family. We’re working with the emergency services, and a full investigation has commenced.”
Stagecoach East confirmed the incident involved one of its vehicles and that its “first thoughts are for [the injured boy’s] welfare”.
A spokesperson for the bus company added: “Safety is our absolute priority. We will carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of this incident, working with the appropriate authorities.”
A few months since the launch of the Businesses Against Abuse scheme here in Cambridgeshire, Amanda Borrill talks to Scheme Force Lead PC Nicky Peacock about how it all began and her ambitions for its future…
Launched at Milton Park and Ride in October 2024, Businesses Against Abuse (BAA) is a partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Police Authority and the Cambridge and Peterborough Rape Crisis Partnership (CAPRPC). Around 300 local businesses are already part of BAA, including Stagecoach East whose drivers have been given dedicated training by CAPRPC to help them recognise people who are in vulnerable situations, and to know how best to offer help.
With 28 years experience serving in a variety of roles within Cambs Constabulary, BAA Scheme Force Lead Nicky Peacock has been fundamental in getting this project off the ground. And her efforts have not gone unrecognised: she recently received the runner up award for ‘Commitment to Safeguarding’ at a recent annual ceremony held for its officers by Cambs Police.
Safer streets for all
Nicky is presented with her award for Commitment to Safeguarding. Photo Nicky Peacock.
Nicky explains how the BAA scheme began. “The scheme was established using funding from the Home Office Safer Streets initiative. This money is provided to police forces across the country with each force individually responsible for determining how it is spent. I joined the scheme during Safer Streets 3 when we began training those working in the night time economy to recognize the warning signs of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) predators. Safer Streets 4 saw things evolve into an accreditation scheme rather than just training, with initial roll-outs in Peterborough and Fenland. Currently, we are operating under Safer Streets 5 which saw the programme extended to Cambridge”.
A few months in, I’m interested to hear what Nicky sees as the positives and negatives of the scheme. “One major positive has been the involvement of Stagecoach East”, she shares, “which ensures that safe spaces on their buses are available across the community. These safe spaces not only provide refuge but also help individuals remove themselves from potential threats. Another highlight has been visiting accredited businesses and learning about the proactive measures they are taking to ensure the safety of women and girls”.
And the downsides? “One of the biggest challenges is reaching as many businesses as possible and encouraging them to sign up. It’s a time-intensive process, and there’s always more to be done”, she explains.
“Creating an environment hostile to those who perpetrate abuse”
Darren Roe talks at the launch of BAA scheme. Richard Marsham/RMG Photography
Cowley Road-based Stagecoach East has been a powerful advocate of the BAA scheme. Reflecting on the first three months in a recent press release, Managing Director Darren Roe reveals: “I am so proud of how our Training team, drivers, and everyone concerned has reacted to being part of this important scheme. We have already had numerous incidents where drivers have intervened to stop abuse against women, and their actions have absolutely kept them safe on our vehicles. These have ranged from young women feeling safe seeing our destination messages, diverting a bus service to take a vulnerable woman to a safe area, and also direct interventions to keep predators away from a young girl, one of whom was arrested.”
Nicky is currently fully dedicated to BAA. “My primary role is to educate as many people as possible and to create an environment in Cambridgeshire that is as hostile as possible to those who perpetrate abuse”, she emphasises. “Being a woman does give me a unique perspective on female safety, but BAA is not about placing the burden on women and girls to protect themselves or change their behaviour. For too long, the responsibility has fallen on women, and this needs to change. The BAA scheme is designed to make tackling VAWG a collective responsibility, bringing communities together to show perpetrators that their behaviour is unacceptable and ensuring women and girls know they have the support of their community. Engagement from all genders is vital for the success of this initiative”.
Get on board!
To build on its success though, the scheme needs more businesses on board and it is Nicky’s ambition that every business in Cambridgeshire becomes BAA accredited. And to those reading this who might be considering signing up, Nicky has a clear message. “Do it! There’s nothing to lose and so much to gain. We provide bystander intervention training tailored to all personality types and publicly promote your business as accredited on our social media and website”.
Upcoming training sessions are scheduled for the morning and afternoon in the Management Suite at the Grafton Centre, Cambridge on Monday 3 February and Wednesday 5 March.
The BAA team is also available to deliver talks in schools. For more information contact Nicky directly at: nicky.peacock@cambs.police.uk
