Cambridge punting at risk amid £25 million funding crisis
‘Unsafe’ structures threaten century-old tourist pastime
- Cambridge's iconic punting tradition faces an existential threat as two crucial locks on the River Cam are in imminent danger of collapse.
- A structural engineer's survey in May 2024 deemed both Jesus Green Lock and Bait's Bite Lock “unsafe”, leading to their closure and trapping boats between them.
- The potential failure of these structures could lower the river's water level to a muddy trickle, effectively ending the century-old pastime.
- Temporary stabilisation work costing £1.6 million is set to begin at Bait's Bite Lock on 25 August, but a full replacement of both locks is estimated at £25 million.
- The Conservators of the River Cam lack the funds for the extensive repairs, with their annual income primarily covering operational costs, and are seeking external funding from stakeholders.