Traffic Light Priority
Threads discussing approaches for priority given to cyclists at traffic lights around Cambridge, such as 'all way cycle green', 'left turn on red', 'advance green' approaches
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of Cambridge Cycling Campaign:
Created by Chris Brown // 3 threads
Threads discussing approaches for priority given to cyclists at traffic lights around Cambridge, such as 'all way cycle green', 'left turn on red', 'advance green' approaches
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
A link, possibly involving a bridge, has been proposed for many years, to join the Station to the Leisure Park more directly.
Cambridge Cycling Campaign does not at present have a position on the desirability of this scheme, but it is worth us keeping track of developments.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 2 threads
Mixed use development comprising ground floor retail (use Class A1), with a non-speculative student accommodation scheme of 26No. Bedrooms on the upper floors to be occupied by Abbey College, along with cycle parking, following demolition of exisiting buildings on site.
23-25 Hills Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1NW
Cambridge
Application reference : 15/1760/FUL
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 2 threads
Outline planning permission is sought for the erection of a residential development containing up to 48 dwellings (Class C3) including affordable housing, access, car parking and associated works, open space, landscaping, all matters reserved except for access.
Richard G // 1 thread
There seems to be a number of cars parking half in the cycle lane on the new Addenbrooke's road (Dame Mary Archer Way)
Is parking in a cycle lane an offence of some sort, and would it make a difference on what I think is a private road? (I think that those roads around Addenbrooke's are not normal in terms of ownership)
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
The path running in front of Petersfield Mansions (identified below in red) is only 1.2m wide. This means that when passing each other pedestrians and cyclists often have to use the grass which is problematic when it is wet and muddy. It is also difficult for residents of Petersfield Mansions when exiting their properties as there is very little space for people to manoeuvre around each other.
Usage of this path has increased over the years with more cyclists using the path to access the cycle racks which have been installed on Bradmore Street as part of the expansion of Anglia Ruskin University. It is therefore proposed to widen the path by 1metre to cater for this increased usage and to improve access from Mill Road with the removal of a short section of railing and the installation of a flush kerb.
Petersfield is owned by the City Council and the path in question is maintained by the County Council as highway.
The cost of these works is approximately £20,000 and this project will be joint funded by Cambridge City Council and Anglia Ruskin University.
The path marked in blue is maintained by the City Council and we hope to improve the surface of this path at the same time if funding can be identified.
If you have any comments regarding the widening of this path or would like more information please contact cyclingconsultations @ cambridge.gov.uk by 14th September 2015.
Created by Heather Coleman // 4 threads
I can't find anywhere sensible to put such things so this is a general issue for people to start specific threads pertaining to temporary closures.
Phil Wigglesworth // 1 thread
They're building lots of flats off Rustat Road, which is on a major cycle route and also is the main area for freloading railway station users.
There are some issues with control of the building work, specifically:
- trucks blocking Fanshawe and Rustat Road at peak times causing dangers to cyclists
- mud on the road making the Fanshawe/ Rustat road junction dangerous
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Demolition of Daedalus House and construction of a new 7 storey office building comprising of 9026 sqm (GEA) of office floorspace (class B1); cycle parking spaces; associated plant; hard and soft landscaping; a basement with 51 car parking spaces and 7 motorcycle bays; infrastructure works. | Daedalus House Station Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 2RE
Created by David Green // 1 thread
My employer is planning to relocate from central cambridge to the Cambridge Business Park (near Waterbeach). There is currently no decent cycle (or footpath!) access to this business park which avoids riding along the A10. I am a confident cyclist but I am not looking forward to riding to work along sections of the A10.
Are there any plans for cycle route construction which the campaign can, perhaps, help accelerate?
Created by George Coulouris // 1 thread
I'm a member of LCC who also cycles in Cambridge. I would like to gather comments and share some data I have collected about the Magdelene Street/Chesterton Lane early-release junction. Further details coming up in a thread.
Created by Richard Jennings // 1 thread
In order to increase cycle parking in this development (because two dwellings are being added) the developer is proposing to use Cycloc Solo wall hanging cycle stands.
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
Altering the guidance given to planning with respect to walking/cycling
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 23 residential units (use class C3) to be arranged in two blocks comprising a mix of studio and 1 & 2 bed flats including 40% affordable housing, two car parking spaces, cycle parking and associated hard and soft landscaping.
149B Histon Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3JD
Application reference : 15/1369/FUL
DETAILS:
23 residential apartment units comprising 22 x 1-bed and studio units and 1 x 2 bed unit
Transport statement:
There will be no onsite car parking
There will be 26 cycle parking spaces (the minimum requirement is 24)
States (in paragraph 6.3) that the cycle parking will meet the requirements from the local plan 2006:
>Cycle racks or stands should conform to the design and dimension requirements.
>For residential, cycle parking should be within a covered lockable enclosure. The cycle parking should be accessible and convenient to use.
>All cycle parking should be designed to minimise conflict between cycles and motor vehicles.
There are no details or drawings of the proposed cycle parking provision in the transport statement.
Floor Plans:
The floor plans for A and B indicate there will be two enclosed cycle store areas, one on the ground floor of each block. There are no details of what type of racks will be used. Although the drawing indicates sheffield stands (8 for block A = 16 cycles) (5 for block B = 10 cycles).
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The following planning application has been submitted. This may be an opportunity to raise through the planning system the inappropriateness that vehicles can be driven into the site but not people cannot cycle (I believe). As the planning application includes public access to the new facilities, the ability for people to cycle direct to the buildings is relevant to the public.
---
Demolition of old chorister block and netball court and erection of new sports hall, gym/studio and changing rooms including new pedestrian access and landscaping.
Kings College School West Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 9DN
Application reference : 15/1309/FUL
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
We have been invited by the City Council to join a meeting to discuss lighting for green spaces. Is this something we would like to partake in and if so who is the best representative for the Campaign.
The draft agenda is:
· Introductions
· Where we are now
· What we want to achieve
· Discussion on Lighting for Green Spaces
· AOB
The meeting will be held at the Guildhall in Cambridge, final details to be confirmed once the date and agenda are agreed.
Created by Sam Webster // 1 thread
Surprised to see that somebody has put up barriers restricting the width of the bus/cycle path so that there's not enough room for a bus to pass a bike. Dangerous enough to call Police?
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
15/1227/FUL | Erection of a new 18,000sqm research laboratory building (Use Class B1 (b)) and associated works. | Puddicombe Way Cambridge
Site Plan shows "Cycle Storage" adjacent to the hotel? site to the east.
Red line extending to Robinson Way (north of Francis Crick roundabout), Puddicombe Way and including half the Forum area suggests intention to secure good transport links.
Essential to remedy poor walking/cycling layout at foot of busway/cycleway bridge, and secure easy access to (across?) the bus/cycleway's extension to The Forum, where the intention may be to continue cycleway on southern side only of busway.
Standard Consultation Expiry Date Thu 06 Aug 2015
Richard G // 1 thread
the junction of Consort Avenue and the old service road alongside Hauxton Road seems to have been designed specially to hold up cyclists
It has two button controlled crossings, over a lightly used road, and I would expect it to be ignored by every single cyclist.
A simple, "Give Way" should be perfectly sufficient I would have thought
Was any comment made when this was designed/proposed?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The County Council is proposing to power off street lights overnight for most residential streets in Cambridge.
http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=15022&PlanId=0&Opt=3#AI14389
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 3 threads
Thread for County Council Economy and Environment Committee meetings
http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CommitteeMinutes/Committees/Committee.aspx?committeeID=74
Martin Lucas-Smith // 3 threads
The City Council has been working on a City Centre Access Strategy to deal with the problem of obstructions, including inconsiderately-parked bikes. This is to be considered formally by a City Council Committee.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 2 threads
Mount Pleasant Halls - the redevelopment of Mount Pleasant House as accommodation for St Edmund’s and Darwin Colleges.
Created by Tim Steele // 1 thread
Not sure why these signs are here. This isn't Route 51 or Route 11 and you can't turn here in any case.
Created by Tim Steele // 1 thread
Some route 51 signs have appeared here, although it's not on route 51
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Created by Phil Lee // 0 threads
What to do about disgraceful decisions like this:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Driver-ran-Cambridge-cyclist-mistakenly-thinking/story-24555273-detail/story.html ?
Clearly, the magistrate erred seriously in matters of both fact and law - all the prosecution had to prove was that the way he drives falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
Equally clearly, it did - nobody who could possibly be described as "competent and careful" would run over something the size of a cyclist without even being aware of it. He even admitted that he was talking on the phone at the time.
It staggers the mind to think what on earth the magistrates were thinking - or what with. Maybe they slept through the case, so didn't hear the prosecution, but were woken up for the defence (how there can be any defence for that is beyond me). Maybe they are dangerous drivers themselves, so sympathise with others of the same ilk instead of adequately discharging the responsibilities they are charged with? Mark Tyler also deserves complete contempt for not pleading guilty, and so preventing this gross miscarriage of justice. He should have been thanking his lucky stars that the police and CPS are so incompetent as not to pursue Dangerous driving, which it equally clearly was.
How can we get rid of incompetent idiots like Phil King (the lead magistrate in this case) who asserted that "there were “significant gaps” in the evidence". It is obvious to me that this dangerous idiot is perverting the course of justice by remaining in his position.
Presumably his colleagues on the bench conspired with him in this perversion - they could (and should) have over-ruled him unless they were parties to the conspiracy, surely?
The evidence was all there - there was a cyclist in front of him - whether the cyclist was upright or on the ground is irrelevant. Mark Tyler drove over him. Neither of those facts were in dispute. That is not the action of a competent and careful driver, and it should be beyond question that a person being in front of the vehicle is something which the driver should be expected to be aware of, which means the test in s3ZA of the Road Traffic Act is satisfied, and the accused is guilty.
The evidence also meets the test in s2A (Meaning of dangerous driving) so there is no excuse whatsoever for clearing him of even the lesser offence of careless driving. With driving like that, it is clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that he should not be in possession of a driving license, and the magistrates failed in their duty to relieve him of it.
As long as dangerous criminals like Phil King are allowed on the bench, the roads will never be safe for anyone.
As a footnote, from the report is appears that this dangerous character commutes from Whitchurch, Hampshire to Clifton Way, Cambridge. What length does that make his effective working day?
It's about 120 miles each way, so at least 4 hours driving (considerably more if in the "rush hour") on top of a full workday. It's utterly moronic to make a commute like that - when I worked anywhere near that far away, I commuted weekly. But this happened on a Wednesday.
Created by Violinist John // 1 thread
Noticed this a couple of weeks ago. As you will see the sign is incomplete and misleading given that the place to see all the details is the end of Ferry Lane waiting to join High Street. High Street at this point is both Route 51 and Route 11.
Major points:
Left turn to go to Impington on Route 51 - I think not.
Abbey and Fen Ditton to the left when you could just go back across Green Dragon bridge.
No directions to Histon, Milton, Waterbeach probably others.
Also the lack of any idea where route 11 goes to the right.
This appears to be one of a number of new signs that have recently appeared. If anyone has seen any more let's get the info out there and try to get them fixed.
Created by Martin L-S // 1 thread
Ever since Tesco opened their new shop on East Road, there has been poor unloading practice.
The company is unloading always from the front of the store with a large lorry which:
- Is stopped in the (advisory) cycle lane.
- The tail of the lorry is opened into the carriageway without a banksman, with the corner of it at the same height as a cyclist having to merge round the lorry - there is real potential for a head injury because of the relative invisibility of this
- Causing traffic to be reduced to one effective lane (or two, just squeezing through, if no large vehicles), causing delays for a half an hour period.
They have stopped using the zig-zag lines.
This photo shows the danger that is created:
http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/68145/
Created by jennifer Kirner // 1 thread
I am bringing up the problem that cyclists and pedestrians have crossing East Road to get to ARU and the neighbouring residential area. It would be helpful have a discussion about how to create safe routes in this area and how to get them implemented.
When I am cycling, I find it dangerous and difficult to cross East Road from Petersfield or Bradmore Street and I resort to using the pedestrian crossings with my bike because it is.
This area that really needs addressing for improvements to safe cycling and I don’t understand why given the expansion of ARU this has not been addressed.
The junction of Mill Road/East Road is also pretty scary for cyclists and pedestrians. The crossing at the slip road at the corner of Petersfield is difficult for pedestrians because it has no traffic controls and cars come quickly round this corner making it dangerous for anyone who is not alert , who is not tall enough to see, or who can't move quickly. This includes the young, the old, someone in a wheelchair. I wouldn't fancy pushing a child in a buggy across either.
Basically, it seems to me that the Junction and East road are designed for motor vehicles and traffic flow not for pedestrians and cyclists. Can we try and address this?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
I am writing to point your attention to a "danger spot" on the Barton Road cycle route.
I and many others cycle this route every day and really appreciate how safe it is. However, there have been a number of near accidents at the sliproad from the M11 southbound onto the Barton roundabout. The problem is that the cycle path means that all cyclists must cross the road leading onto the roundabout. This is fine when the traffic is not busy. However, during rush hour the left lane going onto the roundabout is always queued up. This means that, to cross the the road, a cyclist needs to wait for a car to let them out. However, the problem lies with the right lane going onto the roundabout. If there is a queue in the left lane, you are unable to see into the right lane and so quite a few cyclists are nearly knocked off at this point
The problem is that:
a. The right lane is too short and so cyclists are unable to get out of the way in time if a car does not does turn onto it. It seems to me that there shouldn't be a right lane as it's too short to be of any use and poses more of a danger to cyclists.
b. Cars tends to (understandably) be going quite fast as they've just come off the M11 and also are usually looking onto the roundabout rather than the road in front of them. This has meant that I've seen lots of cars having to break very heavily having only seen a bike crossing in front of them at the very last minute.
I, and the other cyclists that routinely use this otherwise very safe route, would hugely appreciate it if this problem could be looked at.
[RL; sent by post, 27th June 2015]
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The Eastern Gate proposals are a strategic attempt by the City Council to rework the Newmarket Road roundabout area towards a standard crossing, and create a welcoming entrance into this very run-down looking part of the city.
It is supposed to be being paid for by Section 106 moneys from developments, yet proposal after proposal is coming forward but nothing is happening.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton Eastern Access is one of the five City Deal 'cross-city improvements' schemes.
"The growth of housing and employment sites in the Cherry Hinton and Fulbourn Road area, such as the expansion of the ARM headquarters will put further pressure on local roads. Improving the cycleways on Fulbourn Road would enhance cycle access to the city centre and contribute to the completion of the cycleway network in this part of south-east Cambridge."
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 5 threads
The Mill Road traders are planning a meeting (2016) to discuss congestion on Mill Road and have asked us to send a representative. What ideas do we have to for Mill Road?
Created by Anna Langley // 2 threads
This intersection needs a right turn light for bikes turning from St Andrew's Street into the Downing Street contraflow lane.
Doing so feels unsafe with buses coming up from behind, and little opportunity to get across the intersection.
I'm considering setting up a 38 Degrees petition on the matter, but wanted to see if this issue had been campaigned on before.
Created by Ben Brierton // 1 thread
The new road layout here means that eastbound cyclists travelling straight-on find themselves in the left-turn lane, stopped by a Red light, and blocking traffic turning left into the Park and Ride who have a Green left turn filter.
The road markings seem to expect cyclists in this lane to go straight ahead, even though it's the left turn lane, because it is guided into the onward eastbound cycle lane. Just feels wrong and leaves cyclists vulnerable to the left turning traffic.
There should be a 'redmac' cycle lane between the left turn lane and the right hand lane. The road markings should guide cyclists from this lane into the eastbound cycle lane instead of from the left turn lane.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society. Construction of replacement facade, reinstatement and refurbishment of historic features and internal and external access and refurbishment works including enlargement of existing cafe (use class A3) and re-opening of 'footlight's' entertainment space (sui generis). Demolition of squash courts and un-listed 3-5 Round Church Street in the conservation area. Construction of new link building for access and ancillary uses for the Union Society. Construction of adjacent new building with ground floor restaurant (use class A3) with 41 room post-graduate student accommodation above (use class C2) together with basement storage and services.
Cambridge Union Society 9A Bridge Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1UB
Application reference : 16/0673/FUL
Also a Listing Building Consent application: 16/0674/LBC Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 0 threads
Plans are emerging for development on the Coldham's Lane site with implications for the surrounding area including links with Cherry Hinton.
Created by Stephen Lawrence // 1 thread
Some people are especially sensitive to lights, including flashing lights, and lights which point directly into their eyes. Both these two situations can result in migraines for the unfortunate observer.I am glad to read that German law mandates downward-focussed lights. We should do the same.
Flashing lights used to be illegal (i.e. when incandescant lights were the norm) but the law was changed to specifically allow them. However, for the reason above, and also because judging the speed (and to some extent the position) of a bicycle is impossible when the light is flashing could actually make flashing lights less safe. Batteries have improved and LEDs are more efficient, and the battery life even on 'steady' mode is way more than in the 'days of yore' hat some of us knew.
Created by Al Storer // 2 threads
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
Created by Guy Hill // 1 thread
If it is not bad enough in a cycle city that the Great Northern Road, the new road to Cambridge's main train station and cycle parking, does not have a segregated and safe cycle paths, the new development is now being proposed which will prevent a segregated cycleway from access to the Station a Devonshire road.
Does anyone agree that there should be a segregated cycle access to the country's largest cycle park?
Created by Paul Bearpark // 1 thread
Objections to U&Cs outline planning application need to be submitted by 10 April. There seem to be some interesting ideas for improving cycling infrastructure but a lot that could be improved upon.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
This junction is currently very poor. Cyclists end up doing awkward manoeuvres and visibility is not good.
It is possible this could be improved as part of the Chisholm Trail.
How could this junction be redesigned to make it best practice?
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
I've noticed a few of these around Cambridge where there's a "no through road" sign but it's a through road for cyclists and pedestrians. As there's a post already, if the council had a ready-made stock of plates saying "except cycles", "except pedestrians", a single operative could affix the plate below the sign to made it correct. It is highly deceptive and not serving those using non-motorised transport if they go the long way round not realising they can get through a quicker route.
Created by Simon here // 2 threads
Complete separation of cyclists and cars can't always be achieved. To make sharing of the road safer I would like to propose using rumble strips instead of flat paint to separate the bike lane from the rest of the road. It would act as a physical reminder for car-drivers that they are encroaching the bike lane. This happens particularly near pinch points like road bends or crossroads. So even just a selective application of rumble strips could have a very positive effect, I believe. What's the view of the cycling community? Has it been tested?
I cycle past this junction a lot, and sometimes the lights are red so I wait and look at the lanes and wonder why they're like this.
Created by Gingineer // 1 thread
I work near the station and the area out the front of the new building has short term cycle spaces for the shops there. These spaces are specifically for the retail units (ratios of this is in the planning application I understand). so the racks have to be installed and wont be policed by the retail units (such as the ones by Microsoft which are for employees) yet they fill with commuters who should be using the cycle park.
I have been thinking that Cambridge CC needs to agree a system (bye law?) to create short term racks. The colour should be different and signage provided but for racks that need controlling like this it is essential to stop antisocial cyclists piling up bikes.
Of course its difficult to police, and a heavy handed approach should be avoided but I see a growing issue across the city where racks for specific short term purposes are created but then filled with long term cyclists who should accept if they are parked all day that the extra 2 minutes walk for them to a proper cycle park is reasonable to expect. Otherwise this puts people off cycling the short distances as they fear they wont get a rack or will spend a lot of time scrambling for a spot.
Cyclists could be stickered and if caught again then fined. Or clamped to the rack with a fee to unlock (yes I know that sounds like it defeats the object but it should work after a while).
Created by GG // 1 thread
For a long time I have wondered about a crowd-sourced cycleability map.
In this, people cycle along a link (accepting the first question of how to define the beginning and end of this) then give it a thumbs up or down. After enough people do this, then others can see how popular it is.
Some people wonder about subjectivity but I think this should be less of a problem with more voters.
The reason I am asking is because this method could apply to a potential commercial project for a Council which wants to drive around 100km of rural roads and use a panel of 4 experts to grade meaningful segments on a 1 to 7 scale according to their suitability for HGV movements.
Any views on whether this is already done within an app I am not aware of, or could be it done by anyone as an add-on to something else, or is it something CamCycle could offer as a commercial package (there may well be more than one local authority looking for this sort of thing)
Created by wookey // 2 threads
Out of the A1307 Linton Greenway consultation has come a plan for the section between Addenbrooke's roundabout and the Babraham P&R, which the county/GCP are keen to move forward. There was an initial invite-only consultation event on Thur 31st Jan for local residents/residents associations to comment.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
Huawei plans to develop R & D superhub at the 550-acre Spicer's Site in Sawston.
Created by Jon Warbrick // 1 thread
The County Council have a consultation running on "improvements along Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, to make it safer and more attractive for walking and cycling" between Hills road and Perne Road.
The consultation runs until Tuesday 18 June. There are two consultation events at Rock Road Library, 69 Rock Road, Cambridge on Tuesday 21 May and Tuesday 21 May.