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 Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Demolition of existing garage and erection of two 3-bed semi-detached houses on 2.5 floors with car and cycle parking and bin storage on land adjacent No 1 Greville Road, Cambridge
Land Adj 1 Greville Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 3QJ
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04756/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Conversion of existing house to form 2 studio flats.
84 Ramsden Square Cambridge CB4 2BL
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04865/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 2no. dwellings following demolition of existing bungalow
200 Perne Road Cambridge CB1 3NX
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04797/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/04769/FUL | Two storey side extension to create a one bedroom, a two bedroom dwelling and a detached two bedroom dwelling in the garden. | 3 Forest Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 9JA
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Convert and extend existing garage to rear to provide 1no. 1bed studio dwelling.Proposed dwelling with have its own parking bay and rear garden while maintaining a rear garden for the existing dwelling (No.11) with roadside parking to the front of the existing dwelling. proposed dwelling to meet minimum standards. neighbouring approved scheme on same build line No. 1 Latimer Close.
11 Peverel Close Cambridge CB5 8RW
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04757/OUT
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
First floor and single storey rear extensions of existing bungalow to create 3no. flats.
538 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8LL
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04852/FUL
The busway path is currently closed south of Cambridge station - with a lorry parked on the cyclepath, a set of barriers right across the path and the bus tracks, and the driver standing there to obstruct traffic.
I
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 2no flats with associated works and landscaping on unused land behind The Seven Stars Public House
The Seven Stars Public House 249 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8JE
Cambridge
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/04396/FUL | Erection of one three-bedroom dwelling with associated access, parking and landscaping. | 24 Elfleda Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8LZ
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 2 threads
A new thread for discussions related to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, the strategic transport authority for our region.
Change of use from agricultural land for the construction of an A10 bridge structure with associated earthworks embankment bridge landing, construction of a shared use route for non-motorised users between the Waterbeach Barracks site and Green End including a 3m shared footway cycleway and 2m grassed verge for equestrians and 1m grassed verge, hard and soft landscaping, lighting, construction compound and temporary haul roads
Land Between Green End And The Waterbeach Barracks Site Waterbeach Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB25 9PA
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : 21/04625/FUL
sound+fury // 1 thread
Part demolition of the existing Romsey Labour Club building with retention of the BLI historic frontage and erection of 44no. serviced apartments (sui generis use class) along with a cafe, gymnasium, community space, and associated infrastructure and landscaping.
Romsey Labour Club Mill Road Cambridge CB1 3NL
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04559/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Change of use from a small HMO (use class C4) to a 9 bed large house in multiple occupation (use class sui generis).
49 College Fields Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 1YZ
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04425/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Change of use from B1(a) (offices) to Class C3 (11no flats) with changes to external elevations including new balcony structure and dormer windows
620-622 Chartwell House Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8LP
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04350/FUL
sound+fury // 1 thread
Change of use of a vacant office (Class E, previously Class B1) to Hostel (Sui generis) and use of the roof space as external amenity space.
49 Sidney Street (First And Second Floor) Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 3JF
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04260/FUL
Created by User 3428 (deleted) // 1 thread
Sunday 26th of September 10.15pm I was cycling from Cambridge North to Histon. I collided with a fence immediately after exiting the A14 tunnel and sustained a dislocated shoulder along with other injuries.
There is definitely a hazard here because
1) the busway and tunnel from Cambridge North are brightly lit. The busway after the tunnel towards Histon is unlit.
2) about 30m after the tunnel the width of the busway tarmac surface suddenly reduces due to the introduction of the gravel strip (approx 1m wide). There is also a fence near the start of the gravel strip (I assume for the small animal tunnel)..
I cycled through the tunnel and noticed a cyclist coming in the opposite direction (without lights), so I took avoiding action by moving to the left. I may have then glanced at my mobile phone on my handlebars. When I looked up I saw the fence in my headlight. I then hit or clipped the fence.
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Replacement of an existing building with a development of 3 no. self-contained flats
21 Sandy Lane Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 1HZ
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04212/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 3 dwellings along with off street parking, private amenity space, cycle parking/ storage and refuse storage, demolition of existing rear garage lean-to and reconfiguration of the pavement along Stanesfield Road
Land Adjacent To 25 Rawlyn Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB5 8NL
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04190/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Conversion and extension to provide seven flats
3-4 Market Hill Cambridge CB2 3NJ
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/04188/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Part demolition of outbuildings, erection of single storey annexe and change of use to 6 bed HMO (Sui Generis) for 6 persons
7 Kent Way Cambridge CB4 2QY
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/03983/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Construction of 2 no. 2 bed flats with associated bin and cycle stores
Land Adjacent King Hedges Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/03991/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Change of use to 11bed HMO for 11 persons (sui generis).
157 Shelford Road Cambridge CB2 9ND
Cambridge
Application reference : 21/03899/FUL
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
21/03821/FUL | Extensions and alterations to pair of semi-detached dwellings to create 6x new apartments and 1x detached one bedroom unit. Improvements to front boundary wall and front garden area, including off road parking for 2 vehicles retained and bins and cycle store provided.
87 Perne Road Cambridge CB1 3SB
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Construction of 6no. dwellings together with access, car parking, bin and bikes stores, landscaping and associated infrastructure
Created by Rosamund Humphrey (Admin Officer) // 1 thread
Erection of 7 apartments comprising 1 x 2-bed and 6 x 1-bed units, including bin and cycle storage facilities, together with reconfiguring the pedestrian access to 56A and 58A Cherry Hinton Road and installation of a new ground floor rear wall to the retained retail unit at 56-58 Cherry Hinton Road, following demolition of existing warehouse building
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Tom McKeown // 1 thread
Drivers ignoring the marked priority at Magdalene pinch point is a regular occurrence when faced with city bound riders. At times this can be very dangerous. Especially when large numbers of riders are forced into a very small gap between the vehicle and the bollards. I should imagine the situation is especially unpleasant travelling with small children. Also difficult to resolve with a wider cargo cycle, trailer or trike.
Created by Phil Lee // 0 threads
What to do about disgraceful decisions like this:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Driver-ran-Cambridge-cyclist-mistakenly-thinking/story-24555273-detail/story.html ?
Clearly, the magistrate erred seriously in matters of both fact and law - all the prosecution had to prove was that the way he drives falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
Equally clearly, it did - nobody who could possibly be described as "competent and careful" would run over something the size of a cyclist without even being aware of it. He even admitted that he was talking on the phone at the time.
It staggers the mind to think what on earth the magistrates were thinking - or what with. Maybe they slept through the case, so didn't hear the prosecution, but were woken up for the defence (how there can be any defence for that is beyond me). Maybe they are dangerous drivers themselves, so sympathise with others of the same ilk instead of adequately discharging the responsibilities they are charged with? Mark Tyler also deserves complete contempt for not pleading guilty, and so preventing this gross miscarriage of justice. He should have been thanking his lucky stars that the police and CPS are so incompetent as not to pursue Dangerous driving, which it equally clearly was.
How can we get rid of incompetent idiots like Phil King (the lead magistrate in this case) who asserted that "there were “significant gaps” in the evidence". It is obvious to me that this dangerous idiot is perverting the course of justice by remaining in his position.
Presumably his colleagues on the bench conspired with him in this perversion - they could (and should) have over-ruled him unless they were parties to the conspiracy, surely?
The evidence was all there - there was a cyclist in front of him - whether the cyclist was upright or on the ground is irrelevant. Mark Tyler drove over him. Neither of those facts were in dispute. That is not the action of a competent and careful driver, and it should be beyond question that a person being in front of the vehicle is something which the driver should be expected to be aware of, which means the test in s3ZA of the Road Traffic Act is satisfied, and the accused is guilty.
The evidence also meets the test in s2A (Meaning of dangerous driving) so there is no excuse whatsoever for clearing him of even the lesser offence of careless driving. With driving like that, it is clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that he should not be in possession of a driving license, and the magistrates failed in their duty to relieve him of it.
As long as dangerous criminals like Phil King are allowed on the bench, the roads will never be safe for anyone.
As a footnote, from the report is appears that this dangerous character commutes from Whitchurch, Hampshire to Clifton Way, Cambridge. What length does that make his effective working day?
It's about 120 miles each way, so at least 4 hours driving (considerably more if in the "rush hour") on top of a full workday. It's utterly moronic to make a commute like that - when I worked anywhere near that far away, I commuted weekly. But this happened on a Wednesday.
Created by Violinist John // 1 thread
Noticed this a couple of weeks ago. As you will see the sign is incomplete and misleading given that the place to see all the details is the end of Ferry Lane waiting to join High Street. High Street at this point is both Route 51 and Route 11.
Major points:
Left turn to go to Impington on Route 51 - I think not.
Abbey and Fen Ditton to the left when you could just go back across Green Dragon bridge.
No directions to Histon, Milton, Waterbeach probably others.
Also the lack of any idea where route 11 goes to the right.
This appears to be one of a number of new signs that have recently appeared. If anyone has seen any more let's get the info out there and try to get them fixed.
Created by Martin L-S // 1 thread
Ever since Tesco opened their new shop on East Road, there has been poor unloading practice.
The company is unloading always from the front of the store with a large lorry which:
- Is stopped in the (advisory) cycle lane.
- The tail of the lorry is opened into the carriageway without a banksman, with the corner of it at the same height as a cyclist having to merge round the lorry - there is real potential for a head injury because of the relative invisibility of this
- Causing traffic to be reduced to one effective lane (or two, just squeezing through, if no large vehicles), causing delays for a half an hour period.
They have stopped using the zig-zag lines.
This photo shows the danger that is created:
http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/68145/
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?
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]
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 // 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."
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?
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 Ben Brierton // 1 thread
The new road layout here means that eastbound cyclists travelling straight-on find themselves in the left-turn lane, stopped by a Red light, and blocking traffic turning left into the Park and Ride who have a Green left turn filter.
The road markings seem to expect cyclists in this lane to go straight ahead, even though it's the left turn lane, because it is guided into the onward eastbound cycle lane. Just feels wrong and leaves cyclists vulnerable to the left turning traffic.
There should be a 'redmac' cycle lane between the left turn lane and the right hand lane. The road markings should guide cyclists from this lane into the eastbound cycle lane instead of from the left turn lane.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 2 threads
Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society. Construction of replacement facade, reinstatement and refurbishment of historic features and internal and external access and refurbishment works including enlargement of existing cafe (use class A3) and re-opening of 'footlight's' entertainment space (sui generis). Demolition of squash courts and un-listed 3-5 Round Church Street in the conservation area. Construction of new link building for access and ancillary uses for the Union Society. Construction of adjacent new building with ground floor restaurant (use class A3) with 41 room post-graduate student accommodation above (use class C2) together with basement storage and services.
Cambridge Union Society 9A Bridge Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1UB
Application reference : 16/0673/FUL
Also a Listing Building Consent application: 16/0674/LBC Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 0 threads
Plans are emerging for development on the Coldham's Lane site with implications for the surrounding area including links with Cherry Hinton.
Created by Stephen Lawrence // 1 thread
Some people are especially sensitive to lights, including flashing lights, and lights which point directly into their eyes. Both these two situations can result in migraines for the unfortunate observer.I am glad to read that German law mandates downward-focussed lights. We should do the same.
Flashing lights used to be illegal (i.e. when incandescant lights were the norm) but the law was changed to specifically allow them. However, for the reason above, and also because judging the speed (and to some extent the position) of a bicycle is impossible when the light is flashing could actually make flashing lights less safe. Batteries have improved and LEDs are more efficient, and the battery life even on 'steady' mode is way more than in the 'days of yore' hat some of us knew.
Created by Al Storer // 2 threads
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
Created by Guy Hill // 1 thread
If it is not bad enough in a cycle city that the Great Northern Road, the new road to Cambridge's main train station and cycle parking, does not have a segregated and safe cycle paths, the new development is now being proposed which will prevent a segregated cycleway from access to the Station a Devonshire road.
Does anyone agree that there should be a segregated cycle access to the country's largest cycle park?
Created by Paul Bearpark // 1 thread
Objections to U&Cs outline planning application need to be submitted by 10 April. There seem to be some interesting ideas for improving cycling infrastructure but a lot that could be improved upon.
Created by Jim Chisholm // 1 thread
A driverless pod system is proposed is proposed to connect CBC and Trumpington P&R.
see:
http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge/innovate-uk-have-put-up-250-000-to-get-two-cambridge-medical-campuses-serviced-by-driverless-buses-1-4993867
It 'implies' it will use maintenance-track!
"An out-of-hours driverless shuttle service on the fixed path from Trumpington Park and Ride will aim to allevieate congestion on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus."
We need to find out more.
A similar system is proposed to connect Whittlesford station and Genome Campus. This should offer possibilites for a new walking and cycling route.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
This junction is currently very poor. Cyclists end up doing awkward manoeuvres and visibility is not good.
It is possible this could be improved as part of the Chisholm Trail.
How could this junction be redesigned to make it best practice?
Created by Heather Coleman // 1 thread
I've noticed a few of these around Cambridge where there's a "no through road" sign but it's a through road for cyclists and pedestrians. As there's a post already, if the council had a ready-made stock of plates saying "except cycles", "except pedestrians", a single operative could affix the plate below the sign to made it correct. It is highly deceptive and not serving those using non-motorised transport if they go the long way round not realising they can get through a quicker route.
Created by Simon here // 2 threads
Complete separation of cyclists and cars can't always be achieved. To make sharing of the road safer I would like to propose using rumble strips instead of flat paint to separate the bike lane from the rest of the road. It would act as a physical reminder for car-drivers that they are encroaching the bike lane. This happens particularly near pinch points like road bends or crossroads. So even just a selective application of rumble strips could have a very positive effect, I believe. What's the view of the cycling community? Has it been tested?
I cycle past this junction a lot, and sometimes the lights are red so I wait and look at the lanes and wonder why they're like this.
Created by Gingineer // 1 thread
I work near the station and the area out the front of the new building has short term cycle spaces for the shops there. These spaces are specifically for the retail units (ratios of this is in the planning application I understand). so the racks have to be installed and wont be policed by the retail units (such as the ones by Microsoft which are for employees) yet they fill with commuters who should be using the cycle park.
I have been thinking that Cambridge CC needs to agree a system (bye law?) to create short term racks. The colour should be different and signage provided but for racks that need controlling like this it is essential to stop antisocial cyclists piling up bikes.
Of course its difficult to police, and a heavy handed approach should be avoided but I see a growing issue across the city where racks for specific short term purposes are created but then filled with long term cyclists who should accept if they are parked all day that the extra 2 minutes walk for them to a proper cycle park is reasonable to expect. Otherwise this puts people off cycling the short distances as they fear they wont get a rack or will spend a lot of time scrambling for a spot.
Cyclists could be stickered and if caught again then fined. Or clamped to the rack with a fee to unlock (yes I know that sounds like it defeats the object but it should work after a while).
Created by Roxanne (CEO) // 25 threads
Camcycle is launching the first ever 'Cambridge Festival of Cycling' which we plan to grow into a recurring festival in September each year.
Along with a range of events, we also plan to conduct a month long Cambridge Cycling Survey.
The aims of the festival:
- Increase awareness of Camcycle leading to more members, volunteers and influence, particularly among new audiences
- Encourage more, better and safer cycling, for all ages and abilities
- Increase our income thorough sponsorship opportunities
- Increase engagement with our campaigning activities
- Create relationships with other community groups who can partner with us on festival events.
Created by GG // 1 thread
For a long time I have wondered about a crowd-sourced cycleability map.
In this, people cycle along a link (accepting the first question of how to define the beginning and end of this) then give it a thumbs up or down. After enough people do this, then others can see how popular it is.
Some people wonder about subjectivity but I think this should be less of a problem with more voters.
The reason I am asking is because this method could apply to a potential commercial project for a Council which wants to drive around 100km of rural roads and use a panel of 4 experts to grade meaningful segments on a 1 to 7 scale according to their suitability for HGV movements.
Any views on whether this is already done within an app I am not aware of, or could be it done by anyone as an add-on to something else, or is it something CamCycle could offer as a commercial package (there may well be more than one local authority looking for this sort of thing)