Archive for category: News

Yesterday marked the start of international fraud awareness week, and we want to make you aware of some of our most “frequent frauds” to help keep you and your loved ones safe from the scammers.

Every day this week, at 9am, we will send you details of a different fraud and how to prevent yourself falling victim.

 

First up, romance fraud

It might not be Valentine’s Day just yet, but people look for love all year round, and when they do, they often turn to online dating. Sadly, romance fraudsters can always be relied upon to ruin the fun. Dating and romance scammers build a bond with someone online, leading the victim to believe they are in a real relationship, before asking for money, usually for an emotive reason.

 

Prevention:

• Never send money to someone you haven’t met
• Always use trusted dating sites to speak with a new love interest and be wary of anyone who wants to take the conversation away from the platform too quickly
• Beware of the use of fake photos and videos – the person you are talking to or looking at may not be who they say they are. A quick Google reverse image search will show you if their profile picture has been used before

 

For more advice about all kinds of fraud, visit our website.

Cambourne to Cambridge busway application submitted

We have applied for a Transport and Work Act Order to the Department for Transport (DfT) for a new busway, travel hub and path for walkers and cyclists linking Cambourne to Cambridge.

The scheme would connect existing and new communities to the west of Cambridge with the city via the new Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton and the West Cambridge site. The new travel hub at Scotland Farm would be easy to access from the A428 and help car drivers switch to a bus before they hit congestion into the city.

Our scheme would give more travel choices, making it quicker, easier and more reliable to get to where you need to go.

The submission follows four rounds of public consultation as well as extensive community and stakeholder engagement on the route since 2015.

You can view the application documents on www.greatercambridge.org.uk/cambourne-cambridge-twao

Any objections to, or other representations about, the proposals in the application should be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR or via email to ku.vo1781146050g.tfd1781146050@erut1781146050curts1781146050arfni1781146050trops1781146050nart1781146050.

An objection or other representation MUST

(i)          be received by the Secretary of State on or before 8 January 2025,

(ii)         be made in writing (whether sent by post or e-mail),

(iii)        state the grounds of the objection or other representation,

(iv)        indicate who is making the objection or other representation, and

(v)         give an address to which correspondence in relation to the objection or other representation may be sent (if you are sending your objection or other representation by e-mail, please provide a postal address).

The DfT will review all objections or representations received and likely call for a public inquiry sometime in 2025.

For all enquiries please email ku.gr1781146050o.egd1781146050irbma1781146050creta1781146050erg@o1781146050lleh1781146050 or phone: 01223 699906

Stay connected with the Greater Cambridge Partnership

I am sure you are aware of the road works in Barton that have been going on for the last few months. The Granemore Group are installing ducting on behalf of CityFibre. CityFibre are the infrastructure builders working on a Government contract called Project Gigabit. Feedback from Cityfibre below:

“Project Gigabit is the UK government’s rollout of lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK, particularly to rural areas.  In the contract they specify properties that they will subsidise us to connect.  There are many properties in Barton that are subsidised and we must connect as part of the contract.  In addition, CityFibre is an open network.  This will provide residents and businesses with choice of service providers and better pricing. With regard to the connection question, CityFibre is the Infrastructure Builder.  We do not actually provide internet services.  Other companies use our fibre to provide internet services.  These companies are known as Internet Service Providers (ISPs).  There are over 20 available in the Cambridge area.  The largest of these are Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen and, from the middle of 2025, Sky. 

BT are not available on CityFibre.  This is because, despite being split from Openreach, they are both part of the BT group and BT only use the Openreach network.  The same is true of PlusNet, which is a brand name of BT.   So, if a resident is with BT and they want full fibre through the CityFibre network they will have to switch supplier.  This is easy to do and likely to result in a lower price.  The best thing to do is to register their address on the CityFibre website and we will let them know when services are live and the suppliers available.  The Full Fibre Broadband Network | CityFibre. ”

The above statement is from CityFibre and NOT from Barton Parish Council. We have no idea if prices are likely to be lower OR if switching will be easy.

It is unfortunate, to say the least, that CityFibre did not engage with the Parish Council before work was started in the village. If they had done so, we would have suggested better sites for cabinets and encourage them not to dig up recently resurfaced roads. We still do not understand why existing conduit has not been used or why the large cabinet has been positioned on the verge in front of the car park at the recreation ground.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Parish Council.

News from your Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston