Following a five-year squabble and a nine-week inquiry last year, the Transport Secretary has given the go ahead for Cambridgeshire County Council to build a guided busway system between Huntingdon and Cambridge.

According to the County Council, the independent inspector gave "a ringing endorsement of the plans" to build the busway but anti-busway campaigners are not pleased with the outcome saying the busway premise was "back-to-front".

For most of the route, which is to be a ripped-up railway track, the bus will guided. But when it gets into Cambridge the bus reverts to normal roads and will be subject to normal traffic congestion, defeating the object, the campaigners say.

The busway will comprise more than 25km of guideway and will be built along the disused St Ives & Bedford railway lines. Buses will travel on guideways, away from congested local roads.

At more than 25km long, Cambridgeshire County Council say it will be the longest guided busway in the world.

Bob Menzies, the County Council’s head of guided busway said, "Within ten years of opening we expect the busway to attract 20,000 passengers a day. From day one the guided busway will be a massive benefit for local people providing high quality, reliable and frequent bus services to work, shopping and for leisure."

The route will also contain a bridleway for cyclists, pedestrians and horse-riders to run the length of the guideway from St Ives to the north of Cambridge and a cycleway from Cambridge station to the Trumpington park and ride site.

Councillor Reynolds added: "With tens of thousands of new homes being built in the area, we must do something to address growing traffic levels and provide improved transport services first. Providing high quality, reliable and frequent bus services to these new developments will encourage new residents to use public transport from day one."