(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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Stall at Energise Cambridge
We'll hold a stall at this event, sign up for slots!
Energise Cambridge is an exciting campaign to get Cambridge students engaged
on climate change and persuade the university to change their energy supply
to renewable options. We are holding a massive rally on Parker's Piece on
February 10th at 12pm to show student support for the issues we are raising
and to generate publicity.Find out more at http://www.energisecambridge.org/
Sign up at: http://www.doodle.com/w5qca6zspa29rvi7
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The History of Cycling in Cambridge
Talk by local historian about cycling in Cambridge
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Green Dragon Bridge
Currently there are 'No cycling' notices despite this being a major cycle route.
Although it is unlikely that major works can be done to the bridge, changes on the approaches could reduce the conflicts, by improving 'intervisibility' between the different users.A meeting between various parties (Councillors, County bridge engineer, cycling officers, and cycling campaign is proposed.
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18-19 Regent Terrace planning applications 11/1375/FUL & 11/1376/CAC
11 flats replacing existing building
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Perne Road roundabout
Improvements and changes to Perne Road - making this as cycle-friendly as possible.
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Lack of joined up information on Council websites
I've just sent a sharp email to the Council. It reads as below. If the council can't do joined up information on their own websites, how do they expect people to make these modal shifts in transport that they are so keen on?
"Dear Parking services,
I've just done a google search on this.http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=park+st+car+park+ca
mbridge&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&ei=eZdMT-vbLsnu8QPw7pHXAgfirst item says "multi-story car park with cycle parking and pushchairs
for loan".However, when you then go to the Park St car park page, it says nothing
about either cycle parking being available, nor about the pushchair loan
scheme. How about a link tohttp://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/transport-and-streets/cycling-and
-walking/cycle-parks.enon the website, so we don't have to do a separate search, so that when
people go to the Park St website, they can get all of its features? They
may even then decide to cycle into town rather than drive.I was looking for this information as I was just emailing a friend who
lives in Chesterton and has a nine month old child, who I wasn't sure
would be aware of this scheme, which she may find useful. However, if we
have to spend five minutes doing exactly the correct google searches, it
counts as a "secret facility" apart from those in the know.I wasn't aware, for example, that you could also get pushchairs at the
Grand Arcade one. This information needs better dissemination, and
linking from within the car park and other public transport pages, so
that people can make a properly informed decision about their transport
choices when visiting the city. This, surely, is the way to get modal
shifts in people's transport choices?" -
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Busway cycleway flooded
The busway cycleway is sometimes flooded in this section.
The County Council need to address this.
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Regional Campaigning
How can we support the growth of local initiatives ?
How can we overcome the division urban and rural cycling?
Would it be useful to establish a network of regional groups?
Could such a network become an interesting partner for the county planners?
Would politicians be able to hear us better if we speak from a position of regional awareness, a a group of groups?
Would it help the elected to understand that things are changing on our roads?
Could such a network support constituent groups, facilitate exchange between these groups, become a more important player in the national context?
Could such a network attract its own funding?
What would be a good name for such a grouping (NAMES ARE IMPORTANT)
We have CTC, Ely, A10 Corridor, Martin T thinking about something in Bury St Edmunds, "Routes around Chatteris", Wisbech forum (set up by the County), - anything else ?
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Orchard Park audit
Gallagher Estate, master planners of Orchard Park will soon hand over the highways for adoption by the County Council.
We won't be able to fix this car centric development, but within it there are many pavement cycleways, "cyclists dismount" signs, cul-de-sac signs and others which are wrong or don't apply. There are also issues with dropped kerbs etc.
I am looking for volunteers to audit Orchard Park, making a list of corrections we require before Gallaghers hands this project over.
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Histon Road (City Deal scheme, and Gilbert Rd to Victoria Rd)
Outline of issues affecting Histon Rd between Gilbert Rd and Victoria Rd. This stretch is without bike lane. Car parking on one side only, from Victoria Rd to pedestrian access to Recreation Ground.
The fuller length to the north is also part of a City Deal scheme.
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AstraZeneca to move to Addenbrooke's site
AstraZeneca have announced they will by 2016 move to the Biomedical Campus on the Addenbrooke's site. We need to engage with them.
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signage on cycle-pedestrian path next to Trumpington allotments, Cambridge
Hello, I'm wondering how many other Cambridge cyclists have shared the experience I've had (about once per month now) regarding a particular elderly lady who insists that bikes are not allowed on the "footpath" adjacent to the Trumpington allotments, between Shelford Rd & the new busway in CB2. This path seems clearly demarcated as a shared pedestrian-cycle path on the cycle maps provided at the council link (below). However, it is not clearly labeled as such on the path itself, leading her to become quite angry with any cyclist who gets near her & her dog while they're out walking (and obstructing the path to underscore her point). "It's a footpath" she yells, and storms away.
So my questions are 1) am I correct in interpreting the council map (below) as permitting bikes on this path and 2) how might one go about requesting proper signage, clearly saying bikes & pedestrians are both welcome?
Thanks for any feedback, Robert
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/sites/www.cambridge.gov.uk/files/documents/cambridge-cycling-map.pdf -
Greater Anglia Cycle Strategy
Greater Anglia has just issued a consultation on cycles at stations and on trains
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Cherry Hinton High Street cycle lanes need upgrading
The cycle lanes here are a mish-mash of narrow legacy infrastructure, and are often awkward to use.
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Cambidge University Press Site (redevelopment)
Proposals are coming forward for the redevelopment of part of the Cambridge University Pres Site as a single location for Cambridge Assessment. Some public engagement will apparently start in November
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Route obstructed at Lammas Land
The link from Barton Road to the Lammas Land car park (and the car park itself) have been closed to all use by the County Council for some development work. This is a buisy cycle route, and no effort has been put into providing a diversion. Currently most people are cycling across the grass behind the hedge beside the road (though how long this will remain possible if it rains is unclear); an alternative is to use other paths across Lammas Land, but they are narrow, not actually marked for cycling, and it's further.
According to a notice at the junction with Barton Road this work will continue to the start of December. There was and is no warning when approaching from east of the river.
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Christ's Lane and Milton's Walk
Is it legal or not to ride on either Christ's Lane or Milton's Walk ?
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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.