CEAT - Cycling Environment Assessment Tool
A simple tool for assessing the cycling environment, at the moment only for lengths of streets. This is not for a whole root assessment or for junction assessments.
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:
Created by Robin Heydon // 1 thread
A simple tool for assessing the cycling environment, at the moment only for lengths of streets. This is not for a whole root assessment or for junction assessments.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Cambridge City Council is consulting on an update to its Historic Core Conservation Area Appraisal.
The Historic Core Conservation Area Appraisal covers 70+ streets in the city centre which are defined according to their significance. This significance can be their historical, architectural or social impact on the character and appearance of Cambridge.
The original appraisal, which was published in 2006, has been reviewed to ensure that it is up to date with any new developments within the city centre, and that any new pressures on the historic heart of Cambridge are recognised. This revised document is now out to public consultation.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 3 threads
Erection of a building for Biotech and Biomedical research and development and production together with associated supporting Headquarters and Logistics function along with associated infrastructure to include; access, services, drainage, electric and gas infrastructure, external ancillary structures, car and cycle parking and hard and soft landscaping.
Address:
Land South Of Dame Mary Archer Way Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Council:
Cambridge
Application reference:
16/0165/FUL
Date application was made:
2016-02-02
Official application:
https://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=map&keyVal=O1R7L6DXJZE00
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
Compass Bikes, looks at deploying e-bikes (Raleigh Captus models) with community groups and housing providers, of which one is Hundred Houses in Chesterton. In short, the 5 e-bikes will be stationed at Hundred Houses’ head office on Scotland Road, and made available to staff and residents on a shared usage basis for a six month trial (launching March 14th)
Should there be any potential collaboration angles Compass Bikes would be very keen to discuss these further.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 3 threads
Another City Deal consultation we should be aware of. Closes 21st March.
Western Orbital
We welcome your views on initial ideas to create a ‘Western Orbital’, a new, fast and reliable link for buses between the west and south of Cambridge either along or near the M11. Other improvements aimed at encouraging people to travel by bus or cycle for all or parts of their journeys are also suggested.
Currently taking the bus from Madingley Road to Addenbrooke’s Hospital requires travelling through the city centre, which can often be congested, making journeys slow and unreliable. According to Stagecoach’s timetables, journeys on the Uni 4 service take 32 minutes to complete this 5 mile route.
Journeys on a ‘Western Orbital’ link between M11 Junction 13/Madingley Road and Addenbrooke’s Hospital would take around:
18 to 19 minutes on a route along the M11
15 to 16 minutes on a route very near to the M11 to either the east or west
A ‘Western Orbital’ link between Junction 11 (Trumpington) and Junction 13 (Madingley Road) would:
Connect to and from major housing and employment sites: Trumpington Meadows; Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Biomedical Campus; the West Cambridge site; the North West Cambridge site as well as an onward link to Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Business Park and the future Cambridge North Rail Station
Connect to the existing Busway in the south at Trumpington and in the north at Orchard Park via new developments in North West Cambridge
Creating ‘orbital’ bus and cycle links would encourage sustainable travel and offer an alternative to travelling through the city centre. Dedicated off-road cycling routes encourage travel by bike and offer a safer alternative to busy roads.
We need your feedback in order to help improve these initial ideas and shape the scheme. These proposals will only go ahead with landowner agreements and public support and are subject to the decision of elected politicians on the City Deal Executive Board.
Created by Anna Langley // 2 threads
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.
Created by Richard Jennings // 1 thread
On various occasions I have tried to get to the Cambridge City Crematorium and Huntingdon Road Cemetery by bike. This is no easy task. Is there any way a safe and reasonable cycle route to the cemetery could be created? There seems to be a public right of way, but I think it is just a footpath.
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
The County appointed an officer back in June to review parking policy across the County, starting with the City.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The site of the former Howard Mallet centre, on St. Matthew's Piece, has been subject to a series of planning applications for change of use over the last 10 years.
It is important that any change of use adds proper cycle parking.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/3223/15/FL&theTabNo=3
42 low-energy cohousing dwellings plus ancillary facilities including a common house, workshop, car and cycle parking, refuse storage, relocation of an electricity substation, associated access and landscaping
Created by Anne Clarke // 1 thread
The current Barton to Cambridge off road cycle path starts at the White Horse in Barton. During term time Cambridge bound traffic is now backed up and slow moving throughout Barton along the A603. This leaves no clear safe route for cyclists. The road has white hatchings down the middle and would be wide enough for a proper on-road cycle lane to leave a safe passage past the queuing vehicles.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
The demolition of Jupiter House and the construction of a new office building comprising 5,654 sqm (GIA) of Class B1(a) floorspace including ancillary accommodation/facilities with a single basement of 1,715 sqm (GIA) providing 37 car parking spaces, with associated plant and new sub-station, 193 cycle parking spaces at street level and two options for provision of access to the development and for hard and soft landscaping.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 3 threads
Erection of 50 new affordable houses, following demolition of 26 existing dwellings (Nos 46-60 and 66-75 Eastfield), and associated highway works, landscaping and public open space provision.
See pages 20 and 21 of D&A statement for car parking and cycle storage. (No specifics provided)
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 5 threads
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?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
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."
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Hills Road and Addenbrooke's Route is one of the five City Deal 'cross-city improvements' schemes.
"This is a key route for people accessing local schools and sixth form colleges as well as the Biomedical Campus. The cycle facilities at the junction of Hills Road/Long Road/Queen Edith's Way are limited. The two proposed options aim to provide safer crossing for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the Biomedical Campus and local area."
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
One of the five City Deal 'cross-city improvements' schemes is Ditton Lane.
"National Cycle Network 11 and 52 (NCN 11 & NCN 51) crosses Ditton Lane near Fison Road and then runs parallel to the river Cam and connects the City Centre with East Cambridge. This route is extensively used by cyclists heading to Newmarket Park & Ride and Marshalls. In the future the route is also likely to be used by those travelling to the Wing housing development. This scheme will ensure imrpovements to the busy NCN 11 & NCN 51 and improve the links to the local area, Fen Ditton Primary School and Horningsea."
See also issue 418.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
A third railway station for Cambridge, at Addenbrooke's has long been proposed, and there are signs of increasing interest in this proposal.
Obviously we will want to ensure that any such development is as cycle-friendly as possible.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
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.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
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]
Created by jennifer Kirner // 1 thread
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?
Created by Claire Taylor // 1 thread
I can't see a thread/issue about this, although it has been there for 9 months now.
At the end of march this year, the metal barriers shown appeared in Teversham, by the school, along with a sign indicating that the bike route starts at the barriers.
Previously the path started earlier, near the school. I can understand this wasn't ideal, due to the school being there, however, there is now no way to access the bike path legally except by riding up a kerb and across the grass.
I have therefore been carefully riding up to the gate since then when using this route.
I was annoyed about this an considered complaining at the time but I foolishly assumed as long as I was careful this was a live and let live situation and everyone would be fine with it, but today someone gave me abuse for this, so now I am annoyed and wondering who I can complain to about the restriction of the cycle route that was there previously.
Incidentally there was nothing up in the area about this happening, although I cycle through there regularly. (I don't live in Teversham though).
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The City Council is about to install a gate on Thursday 26th November 2015 which will basically block the access to the Beehive Centre, forcing cyclists onto a narrow pavement gap.
The city council has written to residents living nearby to inform them of this; there has been no consultation or, as far as I'm aware, consultation with any organisation.
The reason is to stop commuter parking on what is termed a 'private road' round the back of the houses; I am not convinced it is a private road. However, this is particularly galling since the same Councillor Blencowe mentioned in the letter also wrote to residents to state that they are not proceeding with a residents' parking zone, i.e. that commuter parking will continue to be permitted.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 4 threads
Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The South Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/south-area-committee
Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public.
The South Area Committee covers Cherry Hinton, Queen Edith's and Trumpington wards.
If you live in one of these wards you have the opportunity of getting involved in the committee's work and giving your views and ideas about how to improve community life.
Created by Sam Webster // 1 thread
Today, I came across a bus doing a three point turn here. He was coming from the direction of the station and ended up going back that way. I was trying to turn right from Brookgate into the Busway and had to get off the road and onto the pavement so he could complete the maneuver. He was pretty rude about it as well - 'You going to move or what?'
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Martin Lucas-Smith // 29 threads
Proposed route along the rail corridor through Cambridge, part of which is in the Cambridge Local Plan.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
I've visited Riverside to Waterbeach with William Rayner of county cycling team. He's revising signage here and providing it along the St Ives corridor, with the old NCN 51 being renamed Regional Route 24 (blue patch). We've decided finally to continue to sign NCN 11 from Riverside Bridge to Waterbeach Station, and he's looking at suitable (hopefully temporary) wording to advise to follow NCN 51 to Bottisham for destinations beyond Waterbeach, which will hopefully eliminate misrouting those from outside the area.
Our inspection of existing signs showed that only one new signboard was provided on completion 5 years ago of Riverside Bridge. Signboards still send people via Green Dragon. Sustrans considers signage is an important part of any route project.
The intention is to sign Milton Country Park as a destination, not as part of the route, removing route signs within the park, and probably retaining Coles Road as the signed route through the village, though it would be much preferable to have improvements past the shops and the village green, pubs etc.
Retaining the route to Waterbeach as NCN will help keep the gap in people's awareness.
I am planning to contact again the landowner of the missing link between Bottisham Lock and Fen Road, Lode with a suggestion for a low-level route, southeast side of the Bottisham Lode floodbank which is the route of the public footpath, where signs forbid cycling. It might be considered more visually acceptable. All parish councils are for the route, including the one of which he is a member.
Created by David MacKay FRS // 1 thread
Our campaign for safer walking and cycling to/from NWCambridge now has a petition and a first video (of five) summarising our position.
See our new video summarising our petition:
https://youtu.be/hIlQAzsU0js?t=1s
I’d be delighted if you could promote this to your networks. Time is of the essence because a Senate House discussion is coming up [3 Nov 2015], and I will report the number of signatures on our petition there. (But signatures after the date will still be useful.)
More information:
http://tinyurl.com/EddingtonSafety
The petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/EddingtonSafety
Anyone is welcome to sign the petition; we ask people to use the Comment field to let us know if they are University Member / University employee / City resident / SouthCambs resident / etc.
For twitter purposes the recommended hashtag is #EddingtonSafety and there is an @EddingtonSafety account too.
Thanks very much
David
David J C MacKay FRS
djcm1@cam.ac.uk
Regius Professor of Engineering,
Cambridge University Engineering Department
Author of “Sustainable Energy - without the hot air” www.withouthotair.com
and “Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms” www.inference.eng.cam.ac.uk/mackay/
Girton resident and parent.
Cambridge Cycling Campaign Member
Created by David Green // 1 thread
My employer is planning to relocate from central cambridge to the Cambridge Business Park (near Waterbeach). There is currently no decent cycle (or footpath!) access to this business park which avoids riding along the A10. I am a confident cyclist but I am not looking forward to riding to work along sections of the A10.
Are there any plans for cycle route construction which the campaign can, perhaps, help accelerate?
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
There is a campaign for a cycle route between Bar Hill and Cambridge, also connecting Dry Drayton, Madingley and Coton to North-West Cambridge.
Currently cycle provision for these villages is poor. Bar Hill has lower rates of cycling than other villages that are closer to Cambridge.
The campaign site is: http://www.bhddmadcycle.com/
Created by Simon Nuttall // 19 threads
The Reach Fair ride takes place on the early Bank Holiday Monday (May Day) in May.
The web page for it is:
http://www.camcycle.org.uk/events/rides/
The planning overview is summarised:
http://www.camcycle.org.uk/events/rides/timeline.html
I've created this issue to help plan this event.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The permeability gate between Hooper Street and Kingston Street is obstructive as it only allows passage in one direction at a time.
Given the ever-increasing amount of cycling in areas like this, it's time to get this replaced with a simple bollard arrangement that would allow two-way passage whilst still enable the emergency services to unlock for access in an emergency.
As the bridleway crosses Milton Road, it swaps sides of the busway, so most pedestrians and cyclists want to cross diagonally. However the toucan crossing only protects people crossing Milton Road. It doesn't stop busway traffic.
This is confusing and dangerous. When the road traffic stops at red lights, and the Toucan crossing turns green, it feels very safe to cross the busway. Yet buses can come from three directions (busway west, busway east, Milton Road south) at speeds of 30 mph.
Cyclists in particular are tempted to cross diagonally from north west to south east. Last week I saw a near accident.
Created by Robin Heydon // 9 threads
The A14 is a very hostile, dangerous road for cycling.
Improvements to it, as well as broader changes to the national framework for cyclist crossings of major roads, are needed.
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
The County appointed an officer back in June to review parking policy across the County, starting with the City.
Vehicles are continually abusing cyclists who use the road here because the bus lane on the other side forces the carriageway to be narrow.
Although there is the cycleway, it has the usual problems of loss of priority at sideroads, bins in the way, people going in and out of driveways, etc.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 10 threads
Milton Road, like other main roads in the city, is a mix of typically bad bits of cycle infrastructure. There is considerable scope, possibly within the City Deal funding, to rework the whole streetscape to Dutch standards.
Created by Robin Heydon // 1 thread
The Cottenham to Histon cycleway needs improvement.
Created by Anne Clarke // 1 thread
The current Barton to Cambridge off road cycle path starts at the White Horse in Barton. During term time Cambridge bound traffic is now backed up and slow moving throughout Barton along the A603. This leaves no clear safe route for cyclists. The road has white hatchings down the middle and would be wide enough for a proper on-road cycle lane to leave a safe passage past the queuing vehicles.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
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.
Created by Colin Bell // 1 thread
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.
Starting a thread about this application here so we can continue on from the previous planning list discussion.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 11 threads
Major planning application here - c. 10,000 homes
Created by Simon Nuttall // 3 threads
The railway line from Cambridge to Newmarket turns out across Coldham's Common and right through the middle of Cherry Hinton, and then carries on passing to the north of Fulbourn.
There are currently (2013) two main routes from the east of Cambridge to Cherry Hinton - the Tins and Snakey Path. However both have long very narrow sections involving pedestrian conflict.
The railway line is single track - but satellite images show the bridges crossing Barnwell Road and Coldham's Lane were both built for dual track. So this means there should easily be enough room to accommodate a cycleway alongside the railway.
This route could then connect up with the Chisholm Trail and provide a direct fast cycle route to and from the city and the Science Park area.
Created by Robin Heydon // 2 threads
The Landbeach Parish Council would like the bridgeway from Landbeach to Cambridge to be upgraded to a cycleway.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 4 threads
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.
Created by Jamie // 1 thread
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.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Cherry Hinton Road is currently mainly typical 'blue sign on a pavement' provision, despite having the edge-to-edge width in places for proper cycle provision. A longer-term objective should be to upgrade this.
Created by David Earl // 4 threads
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
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 12 threads
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)