Cambridge’s reputation as a global innovation hub is well-earned, but the challenges of keeping up with such rapid growth are immense.
I recently had the opportunity to speak at Cambridge Tech Week, where I discussed how the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) is supporting the region’s thriving tech sector and investing in transport infrastructure to help the community benefit from the jobs and opportunities being created in our region.
Cambridge’s economic success has been remarkable. As the home of Europe’s largest bio-science cluster and a significant technology cluster, we’re seeing a dynamic blend of businesses, academic institutions, and research centres driving not just local but global innovation. It’s no exaggeration to say that this ecosystem is a key driver of the UK economy. But with this success comes a challenge: how do we ensure that Cambridge can continue to grow sustainably, providing the housing, lab space, and transport connections needed to support future innovation?
We see it as ensuring that people across our region can take advantage of the opportunities these businesses bring. This means expanding and improving the transport options to make it easier for people to access jobs, education, and services.
We’re developing an integrated transport network to help cut congestion, improve air quality and enable people to get to where they need to go quickly, easily and reliably – with cutting-edge technology at the heart of it. By collaborating with Cambridge’s world-leading tech sector we’re exploring how innovations in data science, AI, and smart systems can help make travel more efficient, sustainable, and accessible.
We’ve working across three key sectors within the Cambridge tech ecosystem to make this happen: academia, business, and civic society. We worked with the University of Cambridge to build a real time transport data platform and have been looking at the next generation of transport modelling using digital twins.
On the business front, we’re proud to have supported start-ups like VivaCity, who trialled their innovative smart technology right here in Cambridge. VivaCity’s technology continues to play a crucial role in our work today. Our partnership with larger tech companies in the Cambridge cluster also ensures that we’re at the forefront of cutting-edge trials and developments in transport technology.
And finally, our work with government — such as securing funding through the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) — helps unlock the financial resources needed to turn these innovations into reality. The CCAV funding supported us in delivering a pilot of the UK’s first purpose-built automated bus as part of the transport system and we will be delivering a follow-on pilot later this year.
One of the things I emphasised in my talk at Cambridge Tech Week is that collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We actively build relationships with informal and formal networks like Cambridge Wireless, which allows us to stay connected to the latest advancements and innovations in tech. Our recently launched Innovation Prospectus is a call to action, inviting businesses and academic institutions to collaborate with us in finding the transport solutions of the future.
We recognise that while technology can solve many challenges, the real success of our efforts will be measured by how well they serve our communities. Whether it’s ensuring access to jobs or education, everything we do is ultimately about improving the quality of life for people.
As we look to the future, the opportunity to further integrate technology into our transport systems is exciting. The potential for digital twins, autonomous vehicles, and AI-driven transport management systems is vast, and Cambridge is perfectly positioned to lead the way in demonstrating how these innovations can create a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible transport network.
At the GCP, we’re not just investing in technology for the sake of innovation—we’re doing it to ensure that the people of Cambridge can thrive. By supporting our tech sector and investing in transport, we’re creating a city where everyone can benefit from the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.