Merlin Place – North East Cambridge
A developer called Kadans Science Partner is proposing to redevelop the Merlin Place site (currently home to the Taylor Vinters building) as part of the North East Cambridge scheme.
Issues
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:
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Removing exclusionary barriers across Cambridgeshire
Camcycle's time and energy is consistently taken up removing exclusionary barriers (e.g. Biomedical Campus, A14 active travel bridges, Warren Road). We need to consider long-term ways to prevent new barriers going in and remove existing ones which prevent people of all ages and abilities cycling.
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Romsey Labour Club - Mill Road (2022)
There have been issues with the cycle parking in the past so this need examining again.
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Private? farm roads
I'm new here, so this has probably been done before, but I haven't sussed out how to find any relevant previous discussion using the search. So sorry if this is repetition.
There are lots of farm roads around Cambridge, some of which have locked gates and "bicycles by written permission only" notices, others are signed as permissive routes, others have no signs but in practice nobody actually shouts at you as you cycle through what turns out to be a farmyard.
Are there any resources that enable us to work out in advance, before discovering the sign and the locked gate, which of these roads are passable by bike, with possibly a rather long route home if the answer is "no"?
Just as an example, how about Battle Gate Road?
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"Our Place In Space"- temporary obstruction on the Haling Way
A series of temporary obstructions are planned for the Haling Way path
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Trumpington Road/Bentley Road
Cars regularly cut across cyclists in the southbound bus/cycle lane.
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Consultation on a proposal to re-surface part of Longstanton Bridleway 10
From the county:
In addition to the notification which I sent to you on Monday 11 April 2022 regarding the order to divert part of Longstanton Bridleway 10, I am emailing you to consult you on a proposal to re-surface the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 between the new bridge across the access road to Northstowe and the southern end of the Wilsons Road by Falcon Park.
The proposal to re-surface the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 is related to Condition 59 of Northstowe Phase 2 (S/2011/14/OL) which is subject to submission of details to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning consultation S/2011/14/COND59. In order to achieve a continuous all-weather NMU link between Longstanton, Bar Hill and the new A14 NMU path I am consulting you on what type of surfacing you would like to see on the route (coloured in pink on the attached plan). The route will need to provide an upgraded route that caters for all non-motorised users (walkers, cyclists and horse-riders) all year round.
The southern section of Longstanton Bridleway 10 between the A1307 and the new NMU bridge over the Northstowe access road was surfaced last year and I am interested in whether a similar type of surface would be suitable on the northern section of the bridleway. The northern section of Longstanton Bridleway 10 is generally quite wide and located between tree/hedge lines. I am proposing that any re-surfacing on the northern part of the bridleway follows the principle of providing a 50-50 parallel surface (50% retaining grass/natural surface next to 50% smooth surface suitable for cyclists and pedestrians such as the surface which is in place on the southern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 or the surface which has just been completed on Reynolds Drove, Rampton north of the busway). Between the boundary features on the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 there is generally at least 5 metres of width available which in theory could accommodate 2.5 metres of natural surface next to 2.5 metres of foot/cycling surface.
The re-surfacing of the bridleway associated with the planning condition is for the developer (Homes England) to deliver, but I am seeking your opinions on what you would like to see in this location which I will then use to inform my feedback to Homes England and Greater Cambridge Planning on the condition which needs to deliver improvements to the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10.
I would be much obliged if I could have your comments back on this matter by Friday 29 April 2022.
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Tagalongs, FollowMes and child-adult tandems/triplets
I'm writing an article for the next Camcycle magazine on family cycling options with pedalling kids (so FollowMe, Tagalong and tandems/triplets). Could anyone share their experiences of using these?
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Obstructive anti-cycle barriers between Charles Street and Rustat Road.
There are 1970s-style barriers separating Charles Street and Rustat Road. This means that the large numbers of cyclists heading in both directions often have to give way to each other. These barriers need replacing by a removable bollard in the centre of the route, so cyclists can easily pass on the correct side as they would any other traffic island but cars can't get through. This is a literal barrier to easy safe convenient cycling and has no place in 21st Century Cambridge. Especially when there is an easy solution around it.
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Combined Authority Board
The Combined Authority Board is chaired by the elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The purpose of the Board is to ensure that the decisions and actions of the Combined Authority deliver key outcomes for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
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Pedestrian Crossing on Victoria Av (Jesus Gn SE Corner) Blocked
Two large Red barriers have been placed to deliberately close the pedestrian crossing, both sides of road.
There seems no reason to block off this vital route. No alternative is provided (no kerb drop etc)
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Airport way blocked with no provision for cyclists .
The cycleway is blocked by building work with a footway separated from the road which is too narrow to cycle and with no ramps to
leave or join the road .
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22/00758/FUL: 9apartments (1 building), 303 Histon Road
Erection of 9 dwellings within 1 apartment building comprising studios, one and two bedroom apartments, together with landscaping, parking arrangements, bike and bin provision and associated infrastructure (following demolition of the existing dwelling)
303 Histon Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3NF
Application reference: 22/00758/FUL
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22/00712: 2 storey building, Hills Road 6th form College, Hills Road
Construction of a new three storey educational building, including associated hard and soft landscaping.
Hills Road Sixth Form College Hills Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 8PE
Application reference: 22/00712/FUL
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22/00655: retail unti & 3no. apartments, Burleigh Street
Demolition of Numbers 16 and 16A Burleigh Street and the construction of a three-storey building comprising a retail unit on the ground floor and 3 no. apartments on the first and second floors providing bin and cycle stores on land to the rear of the new retail unit and access to the proposed apartments will be from Burleigh Place, while the retail element will remain accessible from the front (i.e. Burleigh Street).
16 And 16A Burleigh Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1DG
Application reference: 22/00655/FUL
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A1303 Little Wilbraham Road
This is a dangerous junction for people on bikes. How can it be improved?
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[fixed] Ditton Meadows / Ditton Walk path blocked by fallen tree
The path / cut-through between Ditton Meadows and Ditton Walk (next to Ronald Rolph Court) is currently blocked by a fallen tree.
It's possible to squeeze under it with a standard bicycle if you're agile.
Looks like someone attempted to block the path with red/white tape at the southern entrance, but it's all come down of course. I didn't see any warning at the northern entrance.
There's a report on the County Council site (387287), but it's marked as 'closed' on the 21st Feb. Tree was still there on 22nd.
[later:] It was gone by 15 March (probably long before).
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22/00293: extension to create 4 flats, 184 Thoday Street
22/00293/FUL | Two storey side, single storey rear and roof extension to create 4 flats
184 Thoday Street Cambridge CB1 3AX
Application reference: 22/00293/FUL
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22/00583/FUL: 14no houses, Aragon Close and Sackville Close
Demolition of existing garages and hardstanding and erection of 14no houses (7 at Aragon Close and 7 at Sackville Close) together with car parking, green space, landscaping, bin and bike stores and associated infrastructure.
Land At Aragon Close And Sackville Close Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 22/00583/FUL
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22/00469/FUL: 2bed bungalow to the rear of 157 Green End Road
Erection of 2bed bungalow to the rear of 157 Green End Road
157 Green End Road Cambridge CB4 1RW
Cambridge
Application reference : 22/00469/FUL
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19/1453/CONDA: conditions of planning permission 19/1453/FUL Shah Jalal Mosque.
Submission of details required by conditions 10 (Cycle Parking layout) and 15 (Traffic Management Plan) of planning permission 19/1453/FUL.
107 Shah Jalal Mosque Darwin Drive Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3HQ
Cambridge
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East Road/Mill Road junction not detecting cyclists
A member of the public has informed us that the signals at the junction of East Road and Mill Road are not detecting people on bikes on the lane in front of the fire station heading east on Mill Road. Has anyone else experienced this? We can get an email to the signals team.
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Election campaign 2022
It is important that we engage with the candidates at each election, scrutinise their views, and press for their commitments to cycling.
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Broken cattle grid (Midsummer Common entrance opp Fair St)
Rods at this cattle grid have either sheared off or been vandalised (not that recently). It already appears on the county fault report site ref 372428, from June 2021, but nothing appears to have been done about it.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Babraham P&R to Addenbrookes cycleway
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.
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Spicer's Site Sawston (Formerly CDC Building)
Huawei plans to develop R & D superhub at the 550-acre Spicer's Site in Sawston.
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Cherry Hinton Road improvements
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.
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Coldhams Lane
The road is unloved, has very few trees, has a lot of traffic, moving fast or jammed. Air quality is poor. Cyclists cycle along the pavement very fast which is dangerous for pedestrians. The cycle lanes on the road are not safe. It is difficult for cyclists to cross the road since there are not enough crossings. A lot of people park near Coldhams Common on Saturdays. Many people have created driveways to avoid people parking in front of their houses in the parking bays. Crossing the little roads (Brampton, Vinery Road, Vinery Way) is difficult because the cars block the path as they wait to get onto Coldhams Lane and greenery prevents pedestrians from going behind those cars.
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Dangerous Snakey Path trail
I am cycling on the snakey trail every day, and there is a high risk that somebody falls into the Cherry Hinton Brook one day. The path and bridge is really too narrow and many people are taking it both ways.
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Trumpington busway - campaign for improvements
As described in the winter 2019 Camcycle magazine there is a group working on getting some improvements to the Trumpington busway. The magazine concentrates on the northern end of the busway but we are also seeking upgrades to the Addenbrookes spur junction and the crossing at Hobson Avenue/Lime Avenue as well as adding pedestrian footpath from the Hills Road Bridge all the way to Drury Avenue.
The group would like to start getting this out to users of the path for input, discussion and help with campaigning. Many Biomedical Campus commuters presumably use this path frequently, even daily. It would be great to get some input.
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New barrier on Addenbrookes busway bridge
A new set of barriers has appeared on the hospital side of the usway bridge at Addenbrookes.
Creates the usual set of problems for cargo bikes and less confident bike users, with the added bonus of being on a steep hill that ices up regularly, and right next to a busway with a record of squishing people who fall onto it. -
E-scooters and micromobility
The government has announced it will hold a consultation on the introduction of the battery-powered scooters to British roads.
What are the implications for people cycling, walking and scooting?
What is Camcycle's position/policy about e-scooters?
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Fitzroy Lane has no pavement
Fitzroy Lane is a major walking route to the Grafton Centre, but bizarrely has no pavement.
One of the two parking queuing lanes should be removed, and pavements added on at least the east side of the street, if not both sides.
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Hostile driving on Red Cross Lane
"Daily parking wars make Red Cross Lane dangerous"
See: https://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/146/nl146.pdf
Need to improve this area for cycling and walking.
Red Cross Lane and Greenlands are marked for 20mph and they're very narrow streets barely two cars wide.
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Huntingdon Road: Girton Corner area improvements needed
The A14 project is bringing a cycleway into the city as far as the University farm. Previous County projects have created a decent inbound cycleway from Laurence Weaver Road and an almost OK painted lane outbound to here. There's a section of cycleway from Girton Corner to Eddington Avenue, and at Girton Corner there's a connection to The Ridgeway along Bunker's Hill. There are Cycleways intercepting Huntingdon Road at Whitehouse Lane, both into Eddington and into Darwin Green.
But oh dear. Laurence Weaver Road junction is awful. Eddington Avenue junction is awful, and there's a very narrow and much over-run cycle lane to the north of it. Girton Corner junction is poor and serves poorly those who want to go from Girton village and College to the Ridgeway.
The section of road needs a holistic approach that incorporates the route along and the routes crossing in a coherent manner. -
insufficient visibility due to solid building site boundary
The site for the new building between in the triangle between the cycle path the busway, and non-busway road has a solid hoarding around it. To help visibility, the solid hoardings have been removed for 3 panels on the cycle path side, and only 2 on the road side, so traffic has greater visibility of cyclists that cyclists have of motor vehicles - so vehicles assume there is nothing coming and slow down less than they should.
To increase visibility on the corner, the third solid panel should be replaced with the mesh fencing, as has already been done for the first two on the other side.
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Mere Way ( ancient path )
This ancient right of way is used by cyclists ,horse riders and walkers and is becoming un approachable with no drop kerbs and
with new roads being built that ignore the existence of this route and lack of clear signage , we are in danger of losing this
important route .
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S/3018/15/COND5 Northstowe Phase 1 cycle routes details
Surfacing includes gravel and grit.
Cycle chicanes shown on diagrams.
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20/04969/FUL: Extensions and alterations to Babbage House, CB3 0AT
20/04969/FUL: Three storey front and rear extensions, alterations to the office building, replacement cycle store, new plant compound and installation of EV charging points.
Babbage House, Castle Park, Cambridge, CB3 0AT
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CBC Wayfinding Survey
Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) is currently in the process of developing a new wayfinding system for the communal, external spaces within the campus. This system will include new maps and signage to improve navigation in public spaces for staff, patients and visitors to the site and help to reduce stress when visiting the campus. In order to fully understand how the campus is currently used and the key issues, we would like to gain your invaluable input.
Note that the new wayfinding system will be focussing on the public space rather than the internal space of individual buildings, please limit your feedback to your experience of finding your way through the external public space on campus. Thank you in advance. -
Cambridge Children's Hospital
A children's hospital is planned for the Biomedical Campus (Addenbrookes) and is planned to open in 2025.
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Removing exclusionary barriers across Cambridgeshire
Camcycle's time and energy is consistently taken up removing exclusionary barriers (e.g. Biomedical Campus, A14 active travel bridges, Warren Road). We need to consider long-term ways to prevent new barriers going in and remove existing ones which prevent people of all ages and abilities cycling.
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Long wait to cross Busway / Station Road, Histon
Pedestrians and cyclists at the toucan crossing where the busway meets Station Road, Histon have to wait a long time for the lights to change even if there is zero bus or road traffic.
This seems inconsistent with Highway Code rule H1 about the hierarchy of road users. Pedestrians should have priority over non-existent buses!
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Unlit post hazard
Where the path splits there is a marker post that is completely invisible at night. It should be fitted with reflective material or removed.
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Downing College now banning cycling through their grounds
Downing College are cracking down further on people cycling through the area. Gate now moved and is locked.
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Abuse for not using cyclepath
People cycling being abused by drivers for not using cyclepaths, even where they are sub-standard or useless.
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Poor road quality on Newmarket Road
It has an uneven degraded surface in the cycle lanes from the Elizabeth Way roundabout until the bridge.
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Visibility at Perne Road / Cherry Hinton Road junction
It is intimidating to use this roundabout because of the high shrubbery in the middle. It is supposed to slow traffic down but my subjective feeling is that it doesn't
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A14 Histon Interchange is Hostile to Bikes
The A14 Histon Interchange is hostile to bikes as their is no way to safely cross the entrance slip roads onto the A14.