Clare Hall College spent at least £21,586.80 (VAT inclusive) on legal consultations opposing the proposed Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) busway, according to Freedom of Information requests.

As of March 2023, the postgraduate-only College had consulted law firm Dentons and transport consultancy Pulsar, with both firms submitting formal objections to Cambridgeshire County Council against the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) scheme.

The proposed 8.6-mile busway, the supporters of which claim it aims to “cut congestion and improve air quality,” would run past the College’s West Cambridge grounds to link Cambridge and Cambourne with Hardwick, Coton, and a new development at Bourne Airfield on the route.

Dentons’ July 2022 report, which cost the College £7,474 (excluding VAT), warned of “more than substantial harm” to Clare Hall’s historical character if the project went ahead as planned in West Cambridge. The letter described the College as “an inspiring location” whose “very unique ‘quietness’… is a strong draw for international visiting academics, fellows and postgraduate students”.

The College, Dentons wrote, believes that “the construction and operation of the section route, creating a busy through route with buses passing every 10 minutes, together with public use of the active recreation route, will dramatically alter the historical character and setting of the area… causing long term reputational and economic damage to the College”.

Meanwhile, Pulsar’s report, which cost £10,515.15 (excluding VAT), proposed an alternative along Adams Road, concluding that the GCP-proposed Rifle Range Access (RRA) route would “result in significantly greater environmental and cost impacts” and may “preclude development opportunities for Clare Hall”.

Although the College refused to disclose legal costs since March 2023, a Transport and Works Act Order for the £200M Scheme was submitted to the Department for Transport in November 2024 and is awaiting a public review of objections in September 2025.

Clare Hall is not alone in opposing the busway, which involves an off-road route which would cut through a historical orchard and greenbelt land. In January, a petition launched by the charity Cambridge Past, Present & Future received over 7,000 signatories against the plans. This was backed by other charities and landowners such as the Woodland Trust and Coton Orchard, which could lose approximately 500 historic trees.

In 2023, the University of Cambridge came under fire for its role in the GCP. When the GCP was set up to deliver the project, the University was given one of the five seats on the executive board. Although only the councils on the board have voting rights, they are obligated to “consider advice” from the University and business.

A spokesperson for Clare Hall stated: “The College does not oppose the busway in principle. However, the section of the revised route that veers away from West Cambridge across the West Fields and skims the College along its entire length is on a causeway rising to first floor level to cross the Bin Brook, which is notorious for flooding."

“This major piece of construction would be highly intrusive and detrimental to the College environment for its students, academics and many visiting academics. Please see the College’s statement of case submitted as a response to the TWAO application detailing the many harms this graduate, research-intensive institution would suffer,” they added.