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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17/1019/FUL 2x2 bed dwellings along and 2 bed bungalow - Newmarket Road CB5 8LL
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of a pair of 2 bed dwellings along with a 2 bed chalet bungalow at the rear
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Cambridge Road, Bridge Road traffic lights
The traffic lights on the Cambridge Road, Bridge road t junction have just been redone.
They have slightly widened part of the footpath/shared use cycle way. However they have put a new offside repeater light in. The pole for this goes in just where the path is narrowing again, and where people on bikes turning right from Cambridge Road are joining the path. -
17/1101/FUL: Cycle parking. Kettle's Yard, Northampton Street Cambridge
Installation of new cycle parking provision, including reorientated path and steps, repositioned parking metre, waste bin, and installation of 16 sheffield hoops and 1 cargo bike stand.
Land Adj. Northampton Street Green Northampton Street Cambridge
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/1101/FUL
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S/2256/17/FL 7no. flats and cycle parking. Cambridge Road, Great Shelford.
Demolition of existing dwelling and the erection of 7no. self-contained flats with associated amenity space, parking, and bike/bin storage.
129, Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB22 5JJ
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/2256/17/FL
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : S/2256/17/FL
Parking space provided for 7 cycles should be inadequate for 7 flats including some of 2 bedrooms (However this may be acceptable according to South Cambs policy). Based on the drawings in the Design and Access statemetn some of the sheffield stands may be inaccessible.
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17/1008/FUL Darwin Green resubmission
17/1008/FUL | Resubmitted application (previously approved under application reference 14/0063/FUL) for the construction of vehicular road link across the north-west green corridor of consented development 07/0003/OUT to provide access to the proposed secondary school parcel of land within South Cambridgeshire District Council. (Resubmitted due to the expiration of three years from the date of the previous permission). | Land Adjoining Whitehouse Lane, Part Of The Darwin Green One Land Between Huntingdon Road And Histon Road Cambridge
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Fulbourn Greenway
Fulbourn will be one of the first Greenways to undergo consultation.
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Waterbeach Greenway
Waterbeach Greenway will be one of the first to undergo consultation.
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New 'Greater Cambridge Planning Service' being set up
Not sure if this is the right place for this, but couldn't find anything sensible to tack it onto. I got a press release via the City Council email alerts, and, since we look at and comment upon planning applications, it is relevant to us. Not sure if it will make things better or worse. It may be helpful to have unified cycle parking standards for both South Cambs and the City for example, if that is the way things are going. Anyway, link and copied and pasted press release below. But could it make things less accountable? My impression is that we tend to get listened-to more by the City than by South Cambs, but that's only an impression. I guess it depends on what officers are appointed to the joint service, where it is based, etc etc.
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/news/2017/06/21/new-greater-cambridge-planning-service-being-set-up
New 'Greater Cambridge Planning Service' being set up
News release from 21 June 2017, 3:26pm
A NEW integrated planning service for the Greater Cambridge area, transformed to provide an improved service for customers along with greater capacity and resilience, is set to move a step closer.
A business case for the new service, to be considered by councillors of both councils involved – Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council – early next month, sets out how the transition to a service covering the two council areas would be introduced over the next two years.
As set out in the business case, the proposed new Greater Cambridge planning service would offer clear benefits, including:
Capacity to meet the growing need for strategic planning and development across the area at a time of rapid growth here; with work on a single joint future plan for the two councils due to pick up pace when work on the current two joined-up Local Plans is close to a conclusion;
Providing a service of regional or national significance which would be more capable of attracting, developing and retaining a larger team of talented staff;
Offering an increased capacity and a more flexible approach to deliver a quality services for local residents and businesses and respond rapidly to the frequent changes to national planning policy.The shared service will also be looking to update computer systems to help local people have their say on applications and support council officers and councillors with good access to planning proposals by making use of new technology.
Work towards creating a new ‘Greater Cambridge Planning Service’ started in 2015. The two councils agreed then to work towards a new shared planning service that would deliver more capacity, support high quality development and provide better customer service at a time of increased development activity in the region.
Developments have included the appointment of Stephen Kelly as Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development and a project board to develop these proposals and wider joint initiatives by the two councils on planning and transport, working closely with the City Deal and in the future with the new countywide Combined Authority.
The plans councillors will now debate have been developed alongside managers in the planning teams to make sure they take on board the views of the people doing the job.
The first full phase of the transition to the new service would see a new senior management team appointed and staff transferred from Cambridge City Council to South Cambridgeshire District Council, who would be the employer authority. In total the two councils currently employ just over 150 planners, making it one of the bigger non-urban planning teams in the UK. The procurement of a new common ICT system would also start to be investigated
The second phase will consist of detailed work to design and implement the wider staff structure and assess the impact on other council services.
The new Greater Cambridge Planning Service is expected to be fully operational by early 2019. It would continue to have offices in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire to provide a planning service to both areas.
Cllr Peter Topping, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “This new planning service is more than just a merger of the two existing teams. Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire are experiencing growth on an unprecedented scale outside of London. We owe it to our residents, as well as the businesses who want to create jobs here, and to the house builders - of all sizes - that we create a planning service that is resilient, protects what we value about our heritage and our environment, demands excellence in design, and keeps pace with the ambition for prosperity in this part of the country.
“Without this capability, we cannot expect developers or government to listen to us, and we are determined that we will be listened to, on planning matters, on behalf of our communities."
Cllr Lewis Herbert, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “We are determined that the proposed Greater Cambridge Planning Service will be one of the most effective planning teams in the country, providing a reliable, more straightforward service for customers and the wider community at a time of major growth in the area that is no respecter of council boundaries.
“The business case sets out how clear is the joint commitment and depth of agreement on key issues between the two councils and the route to reach our goal of a transformed planning service for the whole area, which builds on the great work the two councils have been doing together in recent years such as on our Local Plans and future planning strategy.”
The business case for the Greater Cambridge Planning Service is being discussed at Cambridge City Council’s Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 3 July and at South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Scrutiny and Overview Committee on 6 July and Cabinet on 13 July.
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Home Cycle Lockers
(I never quite understood the way this works, I just want to ask a question, there's no issue)
Does anyone have any experience of the various "Cycle Locker" type storage you can buy? I'm fed up with juggling cars and bikes, so I think it's time my bikes had a separate place to reside, and a secure locker or two would seem to fit the bill.
Something like these:
http://cycle-works.com/
I'm looking at commercial-strength stuff as I doubt anything less will be secure enough.I'm looking for anyone who's bought them or used them, or similar. Is there anything I need to know before I order?
thanks
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17/0925/FUL: relocation of cycle parking spaces. Cambridge Retail Park
Erection of new management suite and A1 retail pod unit and relocation of cycle parking spaces.
Cambridge Retail Park Newmarket Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0925/FUL
It looks like this will move cycle parking to a more convenient location in front of Boots.
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17/0951/FUL: Two detached houses and five flats, Newmarket Road
Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of two detached houses and five flats.
585 Newmarket Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8PA
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0951/FUL
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17/0927/FUL Pub & nine units 2 x 1xbed & 7 x studio. 80 Campkin Road, CB4 2QA
New building comprising of a Public House at ground floor with nine residential units on the upper floors (two 1xbed units & seven studio units) along with car and cycle parking and associated landscaping following the demolition of the existing buildings.
The Jenny Wren 80 Campkin Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 2QA
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0927/FUL
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17/0924/FUL: Six 2-bed apartments. 80 Maids Causeway, (Former Zebra pub)
Demolition of existing building and erection of six 2-bedroom apartments.
80 Maids Causeway Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8DD
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0924/FUL
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17/0957/FUL :12 residential units & cycle storage. 190-192 Mill Road, Cambridge
Reconfiguration and extensions, incorporating dormer windows, and alterations to roof of building to provide 12 residential units (net increase of 9 units) along with bin and cycle storage.
190-192 Mill Road And 2B Cockburn Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 3LP
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0957/FUL
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Cycle/Pedestrian Path between Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn
The Road between Great Wilbraham and Fulbourn is very well used by Cyclists, runners and walkers throughout the year. It is a single track road with a 60 MPH speed limit. A bicycle path here would encourage more people to cycle to Fulbourn and Cambridge. The path would significantly improve safety for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
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14/0922/COND12 - Cycle parking - Westminster College, Madingley Road
Condition 12 - Cycle parking
Westminster College Madingley Road Cambridge CB3 0AA
Cambridge
Application reference : 14/0922/COND12
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17/0822/FUL: 3No 2bed flats and 1No 1 bed flat. Milton Road
Conversion of existing dwelling house to form 3No 2bed flats and 1No 1 bed flat following a two storey front and side extensions and part two storey part single storey rear extension
35 Milton Road Cambridge CB4 1XA
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0822/FUL
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inaccurate "no through road" signs, missing "except cycles/pedestrians"
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.
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Cycle crossing signal timings
Issue derived from June 2017 monthly meeting: this issue tracks information related to the timing of traffic signals that control cycle crossings (e.g. Maids Causeway / Fair St, East Road / Norfolk St, Queens Rd / Burrell's Walk, Gonville Place / Gresham Rd, all along Guided Busway, appearing on various countryside routes, etc).
We would like to gather the following information:
a) how are the signals programmed currently (and when they change, what have they been changed to?)
b) who is responsible for the programming of the cycle as well as the placement of cycle detectors (if any)?
c) when needed, what levers can be pushed to get signals changed to give more priority to people walking and cycling? -
S/1868/17/FL : 2 New Dwellings. School Lane, Swavesey
PROPOSED 2NO. DWELLINGS ON LAND TO THE REAR OF 11 SCHOOL LANE.
LAND TO THE REAR OF 11 SCHOOL LANE, SWAVESEY
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/1868/17/FL
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : S/1868/17/FL
No Cycle parking facilities mentioned or drawn in D&A or plans.
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S/1824/17/FL S/2999/16/FL: 5 new dwellings. Desmonds Close, Hauxton
Residential development comprising 5 dwellings and associated garden land, road infrastructure, landscaping, and new access from Desmonds Close following demolition of existing agricultural buildings (revision to S/2999/16/FL).
Land to the West, Desmonds Close, Hauxton, Cambridgeshire
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/1824/17/FL
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : S/1824/17/FL
No indication of cycle parking in the new application (S/1824/17/FL). I am unsure if the documents in the original planning application apply (S/2999/16/FL). Have had a quick look at the original application. I can't read part one of the planning statement as it downloads as blank pages. Part 2 (pages 19 and 20) of the planning statement notes the policy requiring cycle parking but fails to respond with any explanation of how it will be provided.
Without further information we have to assume that no cycle parking has been included.
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17/0761/FUL: 5 Flats. 4no 1bed, 1no studio. Fulbourn Road, Cambridge
Demolition of an existing dwelling and the development of a single new building containing 4no 1bed flats and 1no studio.
65 Fulbourn Road Cambridge CB1 9JL
Cambridge
Application reference : 17/0761/FUL
Design & Access Statement:
Vehicular & Cycle Parking and Access
The current dwelling includes a separate garage to the north of the site with space for 2no cars. However, it is believed that this is garage used only for garden storage etc. and that parking for the property is generally on street. The proposal retains this current arrangement but ‘formally’ converts the garage in to a bin and bike store with the addition of a pedestrian door to Headington Drive.
The proposal promotes the adoption of low carbon transport through its location close to several bus routes, cycle ways and local amenities, and reinforces this through the provision of 10no secure, covered cycle parking spaces.The ground floor plans show a shared bike and bin store with 5 sheffiled stands making 10 spaces. There are no measurements to show whether these will all fit in the garage but based on the picture it looks like it might be a bit of a squeeze.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Magdalene pinch point
Drivers ignoring the marked priority at Magdalene pinch point is a regular occurrence when faced with city bound riders. At times this can be very dangerous. Especially when large numbers of riders are forced into a very small gap between the vehicle and the bollards. I should imagine the situation is especially unpleasant travelling with small children. Also difficult to resolve with a wider cargo cycle, trailer or trike.
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Injustices for the peace.
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. -
Sign at end of Ferry Lane
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.
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Disgraceful unloading practices by Tesco, East Road, Cambridge
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/ -
East Road-safe cycle route needed to ARU and Petersfield
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? -
Cycle crossing on Barton Road roundabout
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]
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Eastern Gate
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.
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Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton Eastern Access - City Deal scheme
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."
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Mill Road Congestion
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?
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Right turn from St Andrew's St into Downing Street
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.
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Poor lane marking eastbound at Park and Ride on Madingley Road
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.
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16/0673/FUL Cambridge Union Society redevelopment
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
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Coldham's Lane residential development
Plans are emerging for development on the Coldham's Lane site with implications for the surrounding area including links with Cherry Hinton.
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Make use of flashing front lights illegal again
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.
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Cambridge Science Park Cycling and Walking
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
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The need for segregated route to Cambridge Train Station
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?
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U&C Outline planning Application
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.
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Reallocation of cycle space (driverless buses/pods)
A driverless pod system is proposed is proposed to connect CBC and Trumpington P&R.
see:
http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge/innovate-uk-have-put-up-250-000-to-get-two-cambridge-medical-campuses-serviced-by-driverless-buses-1-4993867
It 'implies' it will use maintenance-track!
"An out-of-hours driverless shuttle service on the fixed path from Trumpington Park and Ride will aim to allevieate congestion on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus."We need to find out more.
A similar system is proposed to connect Whittlesford station and Genome Campus. This should offer possibilites for a new walking and cycling route. -
Coldham's Lane / Cromwell Road junction
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?
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inaccurate "no through road" signs, missing "except cycles/pedestrians"
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.
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Rumble strips instead of paint
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?
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Fixing none optimal lanes
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.
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Short Stay cycle parking
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).
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Cambridge Festival of Cycling
Camcycle is launching the first ever 'Cambridge Festival of Cycling' which we plan to grow into a recurring festival in September each year.
Along with a range of events, we also plan to conduct a month long Cambridge Cycling Survey.
The aims of the festival:
- Increase awareness of Camcycle leading to more members, volunteers and influence, particularly among new audiences
- Encourage more, better and safer cycling, for all ages and abilities
- Increase our income thorough sponsorship opportunities
- Increase engagement with our campaigning activities
- Create relationships with other community groups who can partner with us on festival events. -
Rate my route - software / app ideas anyone?
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)