(West Cambridge site) 12/1391/REM Extension of internal road network including pedestrian and cycle routes
An application to extend the cycleways within the West Cambridge site including some shared use paths.
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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DfT consultation - HGV speed limit rise to 50mph on single carriageways?
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121109a
A DfT consultation to see whether speed limits on single carriageways should be introduced for HGV's. This will clearly have implications for cycle safety.
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Winter gritting
Winter gritting is essential for many cycleways and there have been problems in recent years.
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Milton Road Housing Development in Back Gardens 12/1537/FUL
A new development is proposed behind 231-247 Milton Road in Cambridge.
The entrance driveway / road will need to cross the popular off-road cyclepath on Milton Road.
The crossing needs to be designed to be cycle friendly; ie. level for cyclists, with good visibility for cars to be able to see cyclists on the path, and with cars required to give way for cyclists.
There is a need to watch this development through the planning process.
Alternatively an access to the development from Woodhead Drive might be the safer option.
There appears to be potential for a cycle and pedestrian route through the site; but that is not currently planned for.
My article on the proposals is at:
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Wadloes Road - Ditton Fields - Path Lighting
The path between Wadloes Road and Ditton Fields is popular with pedestrians and cyclists.
It is unlit though, and as it has buildings and high hedges on either side sofeels enclosed and it is much darker on the pathway than it is out in the open.
Lighting on this pathway would I think make it feel safer, and I think would actually improve safety for example through helping cyclists spot pedestrians earlier.
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Improving Barton Road cycle provision
The county council is reviewing parking arrangements along the Barton Road, between Newnham Road and Grantchester Street (do they not mean Grantchester Road?). They say that in some places - parking restricts traffic flow along Barton Road, although the only restrictions I've ever seen have been due to tail-backs from Fen Causeway.
They are proposing three options, one with minor changes and the loss of 3-5 parking spaces; one with more yellow lines in narrower sections, the loss of 10-12 parking spaces and signs prohibiting coach parking in places; and one replacing all parking on the south (westbound) side with an on-road cycle path, and the loss of about 50 parking spaces.
I assume we would push for the third option, but why not Dutch-style hybrid lanes (on both sides, perhaps)? Ah yes, that'll cost more than painting a white line. Oh well.
There's an exhibition at Cambridge Rugby Club on Grantchester Rd on Nov 7th (1-8pm) and you can respond online at
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/Cambridge/BartonRoadParkingReview.htm
until Nov 23rd.- Tim
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NIAB 2 North Junction with Histon Road
There are concerns over the safety of this new junction particularly focussed on the position of the traffic island, lighting and road markings.
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Co-op convenience store, Cambourne
Notification from South Cambs regarding a proposed new convenience store.
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/2138/12/FL
Infuriatingly this refers to customer cycle parking as 'cycle storage'..
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SCambs S/1666/12/FL High Street Cambourne
Five retail units (A1 use), three retail warehouse units, car parking etc (notified to us by S Cambs on 23/10/12)
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South-eastern Cambridge fringe development
Large new development proposal
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Mill Road Winter Fair
Stall, Campaign materials and postcards, attendees, helpers.
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Hills Road - roadworks chaos
General chaos in this area due to the roadworks. How can this be better managed to make cycle access as easy as possible?
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Local area cycling and walking statistics
This is a general issue aiming to collect together details of cycling and walking statistics in Cambridge as the years progress.
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Addenbrookes Trumpington Cycleway
Surfacing issues for this path.
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Removal of Jesus Lane traffic lights
There are two sets of traffic lights on Jesus Lane which are not really needed any more and just cause delays.
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Panton Street - needs to be two-way for cycling
This area of town has lots of children having to cycle round the main road because there is one-way cycling - we should get the council to make it two way.
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138 homes on City FC site, Mitcham's Corner 12/1211/FUL
An application for 148 homes 11/0008/FUL was refused by Planning Committee(against officer recommendation) on 4 April. Cycle parking "storage" is generally less easy to reach than car parking, and it appears that for the central blocks it is proposed in a shared basement area - I haven't found the drawing for the basement.
There is no access to the site except by the narrow road around the existing Westbrook office block - the site is a deep enclave.
The issues for cycling are probably virtually identical to previously. One of various reasons for previous refusal was "...lack of transport mitigation measures..." and the Highways provisional comment on the current one outlines concerns. I fear that cycle and pedestrian access issues were not previously considered grounds for refusal and that therefore we might be fighting a lost cause... have contacted the officer about this, and hope to submit a comment for Sustrans.
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Ice Rink on Parker's Piece
There have been problems before with unsatisfactory cycle parking and obstruction of the paths across this busy green space. New people are providing the ice rink this year though.
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Carmageddon: Improving Congestion Message Signs in Cambridge
On Hills Rd Bridge (etc) a large message sign displaying 5 lines of text and two screens warns of delays because of upcoming building work in central Cambridge (Lensfield Rd etc)
I am minded to write to the city early on Monday
Re: Message signs warning of congestion due to street works
Dear Madam, Sir,
We would like to make an suggestion regarding the text displayed on the mobile message signs currently warning of major road works and congestion. Our suggestions would be to add the words “Thanks for cycling” and “Try the bicycle to avoid delays” (alternating).
We believe it is entirely appropriate to use any major road-works as an opportunity to encourage the use of active transportation, because it is proven to reduce congestion. Such messages will also deliver an important message about the status of cycling in the city. The expression of gratitude expressed in the first suggestion is especially important, as it sets a tone of public appreciation.
We would also like to remind you that a recent Freeway closure in Los Angeles was widely advertised by local authorities as “Carmageddon” and residents were encouraged to participate in local bike rides, organised by the regional transportation authority (METRO), to overcome the expected delays. Given our own little Carmageddon, should Cambridge not do the same ?
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Feedback please, contacts, CCs to the press, Travel to work, etc -
Mitcham's Corner redevelopment
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Development-plan-for-Mitchams-Corner-unveiled-28092012.htm
In summary: Staples and Lloyd’s bank are due to be demolished in this redevelopment. There's a consultation meeting next Friday from 2-7pm and on Saturday from 10am - 2pm at The Tivoli pub which is opposite.
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Sustrans to Visit Cambridge
Jim C raised this in an email to SUSTRANS: ...if staff from the London office would find an 'Awayday' in Cambridge an interesting outing?
> Cambridge can be great in the spring, and if a trip is in term time
you can see just the sorts of diverse cycles and cyclists (diversity)
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> I'm sure we can create a good itinerary, covering innovative
locations, tourist hotspots, and key cycle facilities.
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> As I said at the time, why go 'Dutch' to see examples of cycle
culture, when in Cambridge you can see what can be achieved in the UK. -
International Cycling Safety Conference 2012, Helmond (NL)
International Cycling Safety Conference 2012, 7 Nov
Location: Helmond, The Netherlands
Costs: 150 Euro
Twitter hashtag: #safecycling2012 -
Business Improvement District (BID) proposal
Proposal for a Business Improvement District which would replace (?) "Love Cambridge". http://www.cbbid.co.uk/
Proposal is all about safety, cleanliness, city ambassadors, ultimately revenue
Beverly Carpenter from millroadsociety.org has a very spirited and serious response in the local paper
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Bidding-to-make-the-most-from-city-12092012.htm (does not include the "threat to diversity" argument present in the print version)
She calls it an attempt to privatise public space, privatise policing, (BID's don't honor Freedom of information requests) and turning the city centre into a shopping centre
I have seen these BIDs working in other places: ambassadors whizzing around on strange wheeled things, trying to enforce "no cycling" rules, but also a large budget which funded an annual festival.
The proposal has no language about car parking this is a topic that needs to be very closely watched from the bicycle saddle.
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Qualitative Cycle Infrastructure Assessment
What if we could create a standardised method of assessing cycling infrastructure, either proposed by developers or existing?
Northstowe used something called the "IHT Cycle Audit Guidelines" that appear to be from 1996. Perhaps something better can be done that follows a more continental approach?
Thoughts? Opinions?
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Link needed from Guided Bus to Hills Road Bridge
This is a proposal for a link joining the Guided Busway cycleway and Hills Road bridge.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Horningsea to Waterbeach
A Camcycle member is looking at starting a local campaign group with the aim of getting a cycleway to connect the villages of Horningsea and Waterbeach along the B1047.
Please share your ideas and advice for the route here.
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Girton Interchange "Improvements"
At the moment it is possible to cycle from Cambridge Road, near Madingley, to Girton, on a bridleway that crosses over the A428 and then passes under the M11 at the Girton Interchange. You can then cross three roads (A1307) and reach a pavement on the North-East side of the Interchange. Using the pavement you can then reach Washpit Lane and cycle up towards Girton. (The pavement is marked as a shared-use route on the OSM Cycle map, although I am not sure that it really is.)
Apart from having to be careful when crossing the A1307 junction it is a rather pleasant route to ride.
The Girton Interchange is being "improved" to reduce the bottleneck for cars. Does anyone know what plans there are to ensure that the current route through remains open and whether there are plans to improve the bridleway route through? Or will this be another example of roads being developed to the detriment of footpaths/bridleways.
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Cambridge Cycling Campaign's "Project Orange"
Project Orange is an attempt develop our general strategy during the year 2013.
It involves
1) Should Cambridge Go Dutch (or Copenhagenize)
2) A more assertive stance in our interactions with agencies: Demanding of them to make feasible what seems infeasible
3) focus on a regional area 10 miles (15 km) around Cambridge and a dartboard network structure to connect villages,
4) the development of a Bicycle Infrastructure Assessment Tool (BIAC) which will allow us to grade and praise provision
5) Priority over sideroads as part of a Dutch-style approach
5) Development of Visualisation Tools for major projects (Chisholm Trail, Newnham to Newmarket Rd, Mitcham's Corner)
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State of Waterbeach-Lode link
Has there been any improvement in the "new" NCN 11 route from Waterbeach to Lode since last summer? Last time I went that way I had to wheel the bike across fields and carry it over two or three stiles.
Any information, including a forecast date when a proper route is likely to be built, welcome. Thanks.
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Parking policy review
The County appointed an officer back in June to review parking policy across the County, starting with the City.
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Herbert St - bollards after roadworks
The bollards at the bottom of Herbert St haven't been replaced after the electricity cable was laid last week.
Rather than directly replacing the bollard slalom that existed beforehand, the bollard specialists might have suggestions on what the layout should be here which camcycle can suggest as for the replacement...
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Should Cambridge 'Go Dutch' (or Danish)
London Cycling Campaign has reorientated its policy towards a 'Go Dutch' approach.
This aims to learn from best practice abroad rather than continuing with the 'hierarchy of provision' that, in 20 years in the UK, has arguably failed to deliver meaningful change.
This is an overarching issue for conceptual discussion of this issue.
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Evil posts on busway cycleway
There are some evil short grey posts on the busway cycleway that are really hard to see in the dark. I have heard of a number of people hitting them with disastrous consequences
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Cycle lane infringement on Pembroke Street and Downing Street
Because of queuing for the Grand Arcade car park, amongst other things, the mandatory cycle lane on Pembroke Street and Downing Street is routinely abused by motor vehicles – one every 66 seconds on a Saturday afternoon http://www.cyclestreets.net/galleries/221/.
The corner at Free School Lane is a particular concern because vehicles traveling east can't see oncoming cycles.
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Greater Cambridge Partnership (City Deal)
"The Greater Cambridge City Deal was signed by Central Government, Council leaders, businesses and the University of Cambridge and aims to secure hundreds of millions of pounds for the areas of Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.
The Greater Cambridge City Deal aims to ensure that the success of the area continues by investing in the transport infrastructure, housing and skills needed to see future economic growth.
The first £100m of funding will be made available for transport improvements in the five years from April 2015."
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Travis Perkins Development
Travis Perkins Development has major impact on Chisholm Trail.
We have a letter from the developer outlining their position - let's see if I can attach this...
There is a lengthy discussion of the Chisholm Trail, the gist of which is that they don't see why they should make any further accommodation for it when it is mainly Network Rail's land that is earmarked for the route. They dangle a small carrot in that they might release the corner piece of land to mitigate the pinch point you identified - but only if this application is given the go-ahead.
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Bike Parking Shortage at Hills Rd 6th Form College
Rather than providing adequate cycle parking for their pupils this Sixth Form college is discouraging cycling and increasing the likelihood of cycle theft. The bikes that were previously attached to these railings are now left on the opposite side of the road where they are not so securely parked. See http://cambridge.cyclestreets.net/location/27865/ #27865 or #27866
Although some cycle parking does seem to have been provided: http://cambridge.cyclestreets.net/location/28093/ #28093, #28092 it is clearly not enough
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DfT consultation - HGV speed limit rise to 50mph on single carriageways?
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121109a
A DfT consultation to see whether speed limits on single carriageways should be introduced for HGV's. This will clearly have implications for cycle safety.
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12/0968/FUL Installation of one bike stand
The installation of one stand in the boundary of M&S facing Market Hill Square.
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Bus drivers and cyclists in harmony
Various issues in Cambridge regarding bus driving and cyclist interactions. Work needs to be done to deal with this.
(This is actually a city-wide issue, but I've marked this as the bus station for now.)
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12/0585/CLUED Lawful use of car park, Rugby pitch off Sedley Taylor Rd
Planning application here. Access issues need checking.
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Bicycle Access to Crematorium
Access to and return journey from the Crematorium is a real challenge for the cyclist. Indeed, chances are you may end up in it if you try to ride your bike there.
Here we have a essential public service which is accessible by car only. Is this acceptable ?
These issues arise also if a convoy of bicycles was to accompany a coffin.
What is to be done?
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/contact-us/council-buildings/crematorium.en
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Bike Harvest June 2012
Aims of a bike harvest:
- Reduce bike ‘litter’
- Improve the number of available bike parking spaces
- Recycle bikes and provide affordable bikes (with lights) for new students
- Employ disadvantaged people -
Addenbrooke's Road extension to Robinson Way
The new road between Addenbrooke's Road and Robinson Way has some poor design features.
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All-green phase at Silver Street / Queen's Road junction
This junction has often been suggested a prime site where a continental-style 'all green phase' signalling scheme could be tried.
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Green Dragon bridge closed for maintenance 6 January 2014 for 8 weeks
County Council press release: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/News/Details.aspx?ref=1154
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Glebe Farm development
Permission given for 286 homes. Concern was raised in 2010 about the positioning of the 715 cycle parking spaces.
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CB1 station area: cycle parking and access
Many issues here about cycle parking - not only the station itself but the CB1 area
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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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Bike-bus Sundays and Bank Holidays
I propose the creation of bike/bus scheme: a bus service for Sundays and Bank holidays leaving Cambridge Rail Station, heading out through Barton Road and linking Burwash Manor, Wimpole Hall, Gamlingay Woods, Great Gransden Woods etc in a circular route. Short cycle routes to be developed around villages along the route. Cyclists can choose the length of journey they want to make and be assured of a ride home by bus if they do not wish to cycle back to Cambridge...
A 24 cycle bike-trailer can be towed behind a 20 seater bus, providing sustainable tourism access to South Cambridgeshire and passenger transport services for settlements that do not currently have Sunday services. Please respond and state whether you would be interested in such a service.