THE first step in the creation of a £30,000 transport interchange for Ely will begin in the next few weeks. Work will soon start on the first stage of improving access at the railway station – the first stage of a raft of measures conceived to end transp

THE first step in the creation of a £30,000 transport interchange for Ely will begin in the next few weeks.

Work will soon start on the first stage of improving access at the railway station - the first stage of a raft of measures conceived to end transport misery in the city.

One Railway will begin clearing vegetation alongside the station approach road before a new pavement is laid to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.

The work signals the first stages of Ely's long-awaited transport strategy, which will also see the construction of a new car park at the Cambridgeshire Business Park and the re-adjustment of existing regimes to better suit shoppers and shoppers and visitors.

It is hoped that together the new measures will ease congestion in the city and better promote Ely as a centre for services, tourism and employment.

The district council will foot the bill for the work, which has been timed to commence before the bird nesting season begins.

East Cambridgeshire District Council transport development officer Chris Beer said: "It is very important to improve the access to Ely's railway station - at the moment pedestrians have to try and cross a very busy road junction in order to catch their train.

"The District and County Council in conjunction with 'one' railway have closely worked together to ensure the new path will be the safest way to walk into the car park from the main road.

"The clearing of the bushes is the first step to improve the interchange which will eventually mean safer access for all commuters when they come to the station on their bike or on foot."

More details about the transport interchange will emerge when the full proposals are put to the council's environment and transport committee in April.