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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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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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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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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Poor exit from West Cambridge site onto Clerk Maxwell Road
There's a very poor dogleg right-angle with barriers at the entrance/exit from the West Cambridge site to Clerk Maxwell Road.
This should be turned into a wide splay with good visibility.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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General promotion of cycling in Cambridge
What general measures (publicity, fairs, web activity, leaflets, brochures, campaign manifestos) can we undertake to promote cycling in Cambridge in the most general sense?
This issue is a discussion area for proposals and discussion on creating general-purpose material and the approach that can be taken to promote cycling, and the difficult question of how this is balanced against difficulties that cyclists face in practice.
This issue is not for discussion of specific problematic infrastructure or helmet issues, or anything like that.
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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 -
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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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.
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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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Christ's Lane and Milton's Walk
Is it legal or not to ride on either Christ's Lane or Milton's Walk ?