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Hi James,
Until I started reading the Xmas book entitled Branch Lines Around Huntingdon, Kettering to Cambridge I did not realise just how complex the system had been. Not having moved up to Sawtry from East Hertfordshire until 1973 it was all foreign country to me. There was still some track West of Huntingdon that could be seen and the trackbed is still there away from the A1 towards Grafham along with the odd bridge over a country road.
East of St. Ives track can still be seen in the undergrowth and I seem to remember that it was to have been cleared for a survey some years ago with a view to the link being restored I believe as far as Huntingdon. This was proposed by the rail authority but just before they started the project seemed to have been dropped, some years later it was not thought to be a viable proposition and lo and behold the dreaded guided bus appeared on the scene sponsored it seems by the government with the bribe of upgrading the A14 to get council acceptance. All the experts (?) agreed that it is a good idea but the man that thought up the system was ignored when he declared it to be impractible.
As might be slightly obvious I do not think much of the idea especially as it will cost me money and I'll never use it and as you said will lead to the loss of yet another piece of the rail system that can never be re-used again.
The news that work has started, although I was not aware that it had finally been authorised has spoilt my New Year's Eve and I'll need something stronger than tea to help me over it.
John
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