Cyclists Dismount sign
In advance of whatever fair it is appearing on Midsummer common, the "cyclists dismount" signs have appeared on the entrances to the common.
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 Anna Langley // 0 threads
In advance of whatever fair it is appearing on Midsummer common, the "cyclists dismount" signs have appeared on the entrances to the common.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Leaflet through my door today about "new homes on land off Teversham Road, Fulbourn". Unspecific at this stage, will be revealed, no doubt, at consultation event on 28 June. But it must be big for the scale of the consultation. It also has a website: http://www.castlefieldconsultation.co.uk but that also says nothing very specific as yet.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Cambridgeshire County Council order proposing additional parking restrictions outside Coleridge college on Radegund Road
Sam // 1 thread
Herbert St is one of the closest streets to the centre of town that has free on-road parking. As a result, it's a little chaotic.
Councillors are working towards resident only parking (and seem to have been for some time).
Given that it's part of the cycle route from Midsummer common, and has small gardens, narrow pavements etc, is it worth seeing if there can be some cycle stands added or some other improvements at the same time?
There are some by the co-op on Chesterton Road, of which about half seem to be used by residents.
Created by Phillip Barnett // 2 threads
As part of the station redevelopments, the existing cycleparking is being replaced through June-August 2014 with two-tier stacks 'with the same capacity as the current arrangements'
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 2 threads
I've long thought the Green End Road area, specifically the section closest to Milton Road, is prime territory for a big reallocation of space, with segregated cycleways, pavements and a narrowed road.
There is a *small possibility* of including an ambitious plan for this in the station project.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Changes are proposed to this junction (thread and attachment to follow)
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
Cambridge City Council planning application 14/0713/FUL. Nursery to be demolished and replaced by housing
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
I'm getting reports of a very serious accident at the crossing of the Addenbrooke's Trumpington cycleway and the Guided busway from the city centre to the Park and Ride, and the Addenbrooke's spur.
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
A local campaign group has been formed to push for improvements to this busy roundabout
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
Consultation on road markings and traffic signs at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2015
There are a number of things which I believe affect cyclists, see http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/dft-to-allow-better-signage-for-cyclists-including-removing-asl-lanes/016336
This is really a national issue, but didn't want to spam all users.
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
s106 money has been set aside from the West Cambridge development for a route into Central Cambridge.
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 Heather Coleman // 1 thread
I've just spotted a County Council public notice on the post at the point noted, but applying to various areas as far as I can tell. Was in a bit of a hurry - stupidly didn't think of taking a photo of it. But the Council appear to be suggesting putting bus lane enforcement cameras in! I think this has to be good news, and ought to help cyclists - what do other people think?
Created by Robin Heydon // 1 thread
The Guided Busway is a huge success. It carries many adults and youth to and from many destinations, a major destination being the Cambridge Regional College bus stop. Unfortunately, the volume of bicycle and pedestrian traffic along the line of the busway at this point probably wasn’t considered and is now causing problems. It will probably cause even more problems once the new Science Park Station is built at the far end of the busway.
Current Situation
When I started looking at this junction, I tried to ignore what was “built” and instead tried to observe how people moved through the junction. In the first diagram I’ve shown the main desire lines. Desire lines are where people actually move rather than those which engineers designed. For example, when crossing the access road to the college, from the busway, people walked in as straight a line as possible pretty much ignoring the supposed 90º toucan crossing.
Many people on bicycles don’t bother with the toucan but instead just wait for a gap between the traffic light phases and quickly scoot across. Many people ignore what has been designed and have found new, possibly better, ways through the junction - for example, creating a path from King Hedges Road over bare ground. This informal crossing obviously works, but is it safe? Do the bus drivers expect people to cross at this point?
There are many conflict points, some less bothersome than others. The two biggest problems are at the bus stop exit junction with the science park entrance, and between the toucan crossing and the brick surround of the gas supply for the area. When cycling there can be many people trying to cross the road, especially after the bus has stopped, or just before classes are due to start, all getting in your way. Of course, we are getting in their way too, and this isn’t helped by the poor sight lines.
I would therefore summarise that the problems are simply:
1. Severely limited space at the toucan crossing and busway crossing points.
2. Informal pedestrian crossing show junction isn’t working as desired.
3. Very narrow access to science park with poor sight lines.
Proposed Solution
First, we should always respect peoples desire lines. They are voting with their feet, it is obviously safe enough for them to do it day after day, and they have left plenty of evidence that it works by wearing down the grass. So we should make this a proper pedestrian route. This actually has two benefits: it moves a lot of the pedestrian traffic to the west side of the busway stop reducing the number of people at the science park entrance, and it allows a more “directed” path to the north side of that brick building.
Second, we should separate the CRC traffic and guided busway traffic as much as possible at the CRC junction. The busway traffic should follow their natural desire line which is straight on. There are wide turning splays for buses to access the busway from the CRC, yet no buses do this. We should remove them and make a straight on toucan in line with the busway. The CRC traffic would be given their own toucan on the north side of the brick building. Some of the existing railing (cycle parking) here may need to be removed, and the car stop line pushed back a car length or so. The space between the car stop line and the new toucan could usefully become an advanced cycle box.
Third, we should build a proper segregated footway to the north of the cycle track that links to the existing footway going to the “new” toucan. This would be built similar to the Coton path such that pedestrian traffic would be encouraged to seek the higher and safer ground.
Forth, we should straighten the line for access from the science park to the busway. The current facility bends away from the busway crossing, is very narrow, and limits the flow. I’ve seen times when people are queuing cross the busway to travel through this gate. On the south side, the highly restrictive chicane should be removed. People happily cross the busway at multiple points without problems, as here the buses are moving very slowly as they approach the station.
Lastly, we should alter the phasing of the traffic lights. A simple desire for people on bicycle is to wait as little time as possible, but we take very little time to cross a road. Therefore, I would suggest that bicycles are given a green light between every car phase, but only for a few seconds. They should also be given a green light whenever the busway is given a green light. The individual phases may need to be lengthened slightly, say from 25 seconds to 30 seconds to maintain the “capacity”, but the advantages it gives to bicycles would be huge. Also, the pedestrian crossing could be changed to a zebra crossing. This route would then become preferable to the slower toucan crossing further pulling people away. It would also allow for a much more pedestrian focused environment around what should be highly walkable area.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Demolition of Edinburgh Building, warehouse and associated buildings and erection of office development of up to 41,750 sq. m. gross external area with development generally being of between 4 and 5 storeys (with limited areas of screened rooftop plant), a single tower element with two further storeys of accommodation, up to 189 car parking spaces (+/- 10%), up to 1325 cycle parking spaces (+/- 20%), up to 26 motorcycle spaces, hard and soft landscaping and ancillary facilities including staff canteens, meeting rooms, refuse enclosures, plant rooms, social break-out spaces etc. all to serve as the new office campus headquarters for Cambridge Assessment.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Bella Italia have applied to Cambridgeshire County Council to put outside seating (19 tables/38 chairs) at the Mill Pond outside their restaurant:
http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/57440/
(I'll put the detailed plan on the thread to follow).
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
The Draft Cambridgeshire Long Term Transport Strategy and Local Transport Plan Refresh has, as a City Deal item, a £43million project to create "Comprehensive segregated bus priority / Busway on Newmarket Road into Cambridge between Airport Way and Elizabeth Way / East Road."
This is quite clearly an opportunity to get far better cycle provision on this corridor.
Created by MJR // 0 threads
For a change, I tried following the route signs for the station today. As well as a mystery tour near the Grafton centre where the signs simply stop, my route was blocked at Gresham Road by "WET TAR" and a sign proclaiming it. No diversion was signed and there were no advance warning signs that would have let me pick a better route earlier. Plenty of people were riding along the footways - enough that it was too crowded for me to feel safe doing so. I performed a U-turn, waited a second time at the crossroad traffic lights and rode along the very busy Gonville Place and Hills Road instead.
I've tweeted at Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council in https://mobile.twitter.com/mjray/status/453926972843118593 because I don't think that is legal - a cycle route suddenly being blocked by wet tar does not comply with the code of practice on safety at streetworks, which is required by law. I'm disappointed to encounter this in Cambridge.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
"14/0447/FUL | Change of use from motor bike show room to supermarket with cafe [without cooking facilities] and installation of air compressor unit. | 192 Green End Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 1RN"
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
When I popped into the Cambridge Wine Merchants last night, there were signs on all the posts and sheffield stands saying "no cycle parking from 6am, 7th April". I assumed some royal visit. I asked the man in the shop if he thought people not being able to park would affect trade and he said he hoped not. However, by the post where I normally park there's a big "road closed" sign, 6am-6pm (I think).
He is under the impression that there is filming going on from 7am-10am. It is period filming in the 1950s therefore you can't have sheffield stands (probably not invented) or modern bikes.
My main question/gripe is, when I see a "road closed" sign, I assume I will be able to get through even if I need to dismount and wheel my cycle. Sometimes, if it's a long walk, it may be quicker to cycle via another route. From the nature of what I've been told is going on, it sounds to me as if actually the road will even be closed to pedestrians, well unless they're wearing authentic 1950s dress.
Does anyone know any more? Does anyone know anything about the legal status of forcing pedestrians to take a lengthy diversion from what is the public highway? There are various cyclescape threads which have mentioned that although cars only have a permissive right to use the road, pedestrians have some stronger right. Can they force pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to go another route, when it's not an issue of national security?
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.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 3 threads
In 2012 a long list of candidate one way streets for conversion to two-way cycling was drafted. http://www.cyclestreets.net/photomap/tags/twoway2012/
Two years later the County are now proposing a short list of 11 streets for conversion.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Created by wookey // 2 threads
Out of the A1307 Linton Greenway consultation has come a plan for the section between Addenbrooke's roundabout and the Babraham P&R, which the county/GCP are keen to move forward. There was an initial invite-only consultation event on Thur 31st Jan for local residents/residents associations to comment.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
Huawei plans to develop R & D superhub at the 550-acre Spicer's Site in Sawston.
Created by Jon Warbrick // 1 thread
The County Council have a consultation running on "improvements along Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, to make it safer and more attractive for walking and cycling" between Hills road and Perne Road.
The consultation runs until Tuesday 18 June. There are two consultation events at Rock Road Library, 69 Rock Road, Cambridge on Tuesday 21 May and Tuesday 21 May.
Created by Paula Downes // 4 threads
The road is unloved, has very few trees, has a lot of traffic, moving fast or jammed. Air quality is poor. Cyclists cycle along the pavement very fast which is dangerous for pedestrians. The cycle lanes on the road are not safe. It is difficult for cyclists to cross the road since there are not enough crossings. A lot of people park near Coldhams Common on Saturdays. Many people have created driveways to avoid people parking in front of their houses in the parking bays. Crossing the little roads (Brampton, Vinery Road, Vinery Way) is difficult because the cars block the path as they wait to get onto Coldhams Lane and greenery prevents pedestrians from going behind those cars.
Created by DB // 1 thread
I am cycling on the snakey trail every day, and there is a high risk that somebody falls into the Cherry Hinton Brook one day. The path and bridge is really too narrow and many people are taking it both ways.
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
As described in the winter 2019 Camcycle magazine there is a group working on getting some improvements to the Trumpington busway. The magazine concentrates on the northern end of the busway but we are also seeking upgrades to the Addenbrookes spur junction and the crossing at Hobson Avenue/Lime Avenue as well as adding pedestrian footpath from the Hills Road Bridge all the way to Drury Avenue.
The group would like to start getting this out to users of the path for input, discussion and help with campaigning. Many Biomedical Campus commuters presumably use this path frequently, even daily. It would be great to get some input.
Created by Finlay KM // 1 thread
A new set of barriers has appeared on the hospital side of the usway bridge at Addenbrookes.
Creates the usual set of problems for cargo bikes and less confident bike users, with the added bonus of being on a steep hill that ices up regularly, and right next to a busway with a record of squishing people who fall onto it.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 3 threads
The government has announced it will hold a consultation on the introduction of the battery-powered scooters to British roads.
What are the implications for people cycling, walking and scooting?
What is Camcycle's position/policy about e-scooters?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 0 threads
Fitzroy Lane is a major walking route to the Grafton Centre, but bizarrely has no pavement.
One of the two parking queuing lanes should be removed, and pavements added on at least the east side of the street, if not both sides.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
"Daily parking wars make Red Cross Lane dangerous"
See: https://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/146/nl146.pdf
Need to improve this area for cycling and walking.
Red Cross Lane and Greenlands are marked for 20mph and they're very narrow streets barely two cars wide.
Created by Al Storer // 1 thread
The A14 project is bringing a cycleway into the city as far as the University farm. Previous County projects have created a decent inbound cycleway from Laurence Weaver Road and an almost OK painted lane outbound to here. There's a section of cycleway from Girton Corner to Eddington Avenue, and at Girton Corner there's a connection to The Ridgeway along Bunker's Hill. There are Cycleways intercepting Huntingdon Road at Whitehouse Lane, both into Eddington and into Darwin Green.
But oh dear. Laurence Weaver Road junction is awful. Eddington Avenue junction is awful, and there's a very narrow and much over-run cycle lane to the north of it. Girton Corner junction is poor and serves poorly those who want to go from Girton village and College to the Ridgeway.
The section of road needs a holistic approach that incorporates the route along and the routes crossing in a coherent manner.
Sam // 1 thread
The site for the new building between in the triangle between the cycle path the busway, and non-busway road has a solid hoarding around it. To help visibility, the solid hoardings have been removed for 3 panels on the cycle path side, and only 2 on the road side, so traffic has greater visibility of cyclists that cyclists have of motor vehicles - so vehicles assume there is nothing coming and slow down less than they should.
To increase visibility on the corner, the third solid panel should be replaced with the mesh fencing, as has already been done for the first two on the other side.
Created by cpax // 2 threads
This ancient right of way is used by cyclists ,horse riders and walkers and is becoming un approachable with no drop kerbs and
with new roads being built that ignore the existence of this route and lack of clear signage , we are in danger of losing this
important route .
Surfacing includes gravel and grit.
Cycle chicanes shown on diagrams.
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
20/04969/FUL: Three storey front and rear extensions, alterations to the office building, replacement cycle store, new plant compound and installation of EV charging points.
Babbage House, Castle Park, Cambridge, CB3 0AT
Created by Finlay KM // 1 thread
Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) is currently in the process of developing a new wayfinding system for the communal, external spaces within the campus. This system will include new maps and signage to improve navigation in public spaces for staff, patients and visitors to the site and help to reduce stress when visiting the campus. In order to fully understand how the campus is currently used and the key issues, we would like to gain your invaluable input.
Note that the new wayfinding system will be focussing on the public space rather than the internal space of individual buildings, please limit your feedback to your experience of finding your way through the external public space on campus. Thank you in advance.
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 1 thread
A children's hospital is planned for the Biomedical Campus (Addenbrookes) and is planned to open in 2025.
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 2 threads
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.
Pedestrians and cyclists at the toucan crossing where the busway meets Station Road, Histon have to wait a long time for the lights to change even if there is zero bus or road traffic.
This seems inconsistent with Highway Code rule H1 about the hierarchy of road users. Pedestrians should have priority over non-existent buses!
Created by Tim Steele // 0 threads
Where the path splits there is a marker post that is completely invisible at night. It should be fitted with reflective material or removed.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 3 threads
Downing College are cracking down further on people cycling through the area. Gate now moved and is locked.
Created by Martin Wheatley // 1 thread
People cycling being abused by drivers for not using cyclepaths, even where they are sub-standard or useless.
Created by Andrew France // 1 thread
It has an uneven degraded surface in the cycle lanes from the Elizabeth Way roundabout until the bridge.
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
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
The A14 Histon Interchange is hostile to bikes as their is no way to safely cross the entrance slip roads onto the A14.