Land south of Coldham's Lane (2023)
23/04590/OUT Latest in a long sequence of attempts to develop landfill and 'lakes' either side of The Tins path.
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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23/04537/FUL - Flats - School Hill - Histon
First and second floor extension above the existing ground floor commercial Business and Service premises (Use Class E) and Library (Use Class F1(d)) to create 15 No. residential apartments including a communal terrace, together with an associated communal entrance/service building (including first and second floor commercial units (Use Class E)), cycle parking, refuse provision, landscaping, the reconfiguration of the established car park, substation and associated infrastructure works.
Land Adjacent To School Hill Histon Cambridgeshire CB24 9JE
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : 23/04537/FUL
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Poor cycle lane on Cambridge Road (north Cambridge)
Recent roadworks have left the cycle lane entering Cambridge in an unusable state. There are large bumps across the width of the cycle lane which makes cycling along it dangerous. Needs to be fixed asap.
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23/04380/FUL 12 dwellings between Ditton Walk and the Trail
Erection of 12 dwellings, including 3 affordable dwellings, and associated works including alterations to access to the site and creation of second access.
Land At Ditton Walk Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 23/04380/FUL
Not shown in the plans, but suggested in the D&A: a pedestrian link between Ditton Walk and the Trail
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AGM 2024
Plans for the 2024 AGM are well-underway!
Please join us on Saturday 20 January, 2-5pm at Storey's Field Centre (main hall).
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23/04054/FUL 4 flats beside Cherryhinton Road.
23/04054/FUL (4 flats) replaces 23/01815/FUL (8 flats, withdrawn) without resolving conflict with shared-use path.
Application reference : 23/04054/FUL
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23/04037/FUL Refurbishment and retrofit of existing building
Refurbishment and retrofit of existing building with new fourth storey, rooftop plant and rear extension, new cycle parking and landscaping adjacent to the building together with new cycle hub in existing basement car park under Castle Court
Babbage House Castle Park Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0AT
Cambridge
Application reference : 23/04037/FUL
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Six-month closure of Halingway / Towpath
Announcement from Cam Conservancy:
https://www.camconservancy.org/public-announcement
Tree management Programme 2023/24 A recent tree survey has identified the necessity for pruning and in some cases felling dangerous trees to ensure the safety of those using the Halingway.A ‘TTRO’ Temporary Traffic Regulation Order has been approved to temporarily close sections of the Halingway/towpath (Chesterton to Clayhithe) between 1 November until 31 March 2024.
- There will be some temporary closures, of sections of the Halingway, for a few hours to deal with individual trees that present more pressing issues.
- Closures of longer duration between Baitsbite Lock to Grassy Corner , within the above dates, will be necessary to manage larger sections.
- All closures will be between the hours on 0900hrs-1700hrs, Monday to Friday
- Arrangements have been made to suspend closures for official rowing events.
- Scheduled closures will be updated regularly on the website diary.
The Conservancy appreciates this may cause some temporary inconvenience, however these works are necessary and have been planned to ensure the safety of those who use the Halingway and the staff carrying out the works.
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PR0970: no waiting, Peverel Road & Rayson Way
This is a space for discussion around Cambridgeshire County Council's proposal (published on 27th September 2023).
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23/03395/FUL 14no residential dwellings in Over
Erection of 14no residential dwellings and associated works including demolition of existing dwelling.
16 The Lanes Over Cambridgeshire CB24 5NQ
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : 23/03395/FUL
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overhanging overgrown vegetation
Starter; instructions for who to report overhanging or overgrown vegetation which is obstructing a cycle or footpath. Place for people to discuss specific examples as they seem to currently be spread out all over Cyclescape so hard to find.
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23/03068/FUL Refurbishment of the building to facilitate MRI installation
Refurbishment of the building including internal slab openings with steel framing, roof replacement and raising the flat roof finish height, parapet works, new plant, substation, external alterations and temporary removal of shopfront to facilitate MRI installation (first phase).
163 - 167 Mill Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 3AN
Cambridge
Application reference : 23/03068/FUL
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Signalised Crossing of The Fen Causeway
The signalised crossing of The Fen Causeway is up for renewal. We've been asked for comment
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23/03080/OUT Proposed Office and Labs near Hauxton
23/03080/OUT | Outline application for demolition of existing structures and redevelopment for employment (office and laboratory) floorspace E(g)(i)(ii) alongside a new amenity building (including F2(b)(c)), country park and associated infrastructure with all other matters reserved for future determination apart from access, layout, scale. | Former Waste Water Treatment Facility Cambridge Road Hauxton Cambridgeshire CB22 5HT
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North Cambridge Design Code consultation
A project from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to inform urban design.
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23/02696/FUL - Post Grad accommodation
23/02696/FUL | Demolition of 3 residential properties (known as Fossdene, Winside and The Gables) and the erection of five residential buildings for postgraduate students as well as two storey and single storey extensions to The Knott for postgraduate accommodation and the provision of cycle and bin stores, landscaping and car parking including new boundary treatments. |Fossdene Whinside The Gables Mount Pleasant Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0BL
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Abuse for not using cyclepath
People cycling being abused by drivers for not using cyclepaths, even where they are sub-standard or useless.
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23/02904/PRIOR Change of use from an office to a state funded school
Change of use from an office (Use Class E(g)(i)) to a state funded school (Use Class F1(a))
72 Hills Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1LA
Cambridge
Application reference : 23/02904/PRIOR
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Overgrown vegetation on DNA path
General overgrowth impinging on DNA path link to CBC; 2 bikes can no longer pass each other. Reported to CCC on 31st July.
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Overgrown vegetation blocking Love Lane
Towards the west end of Love Lane, vegetation overhanging from the south does not allow an adult to pass (on foot or cycle) without bending. (Photo is looking west.)
Noticed on 13 July, confirmed still there 20 July.
Reported to Cambridgeshire County Council 19 July (ref 00438005). They closed the report 24 July, saying "The issue you raised with us is the responsibility of the landowner. Unfortunately we do not have records of who is responsible for this location and we are therefore unable to take any action."
(This area has been problematic previously -- see KW's reporting in March 2023 on the 'exclusionary barriers' thread. Not sure if exactly the same vegetation, but same general area.)
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Wayfinding and signage
Inadequate signage for cycle routes
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23/02685/FUL Part demolition and refurbishment of the Grafton Centre
i) Demolition of 11-12 Burleigh Street and Abbeygate House, ii) Part demolition and alterations to the Grafton Centre, removal of existing facades, erection of new floorspace for life science use, new and replacement façades and shopfronts, provision of terraces at fourth floor level, installation of plant and enclosures, iii) Redevelopment of existing bus turning head and redundant service area to provide new hotel and leisure quarter, iv) New pedestrian access route from Christchurch Street to Burleigh Street, provision of cycle parking spaces, public realm and landscape improvements, v) Highway works to East Road providing new bus stops, pedestrian and cycle routes and other associated works.
Grafton Centre Fitzroy Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 23/02685/FUL
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Overgrowth on Equiano Bridge
The bushes/trees are pretty overgrown into the left side of the cycle path, meaning you have to move away from the edge at points, on an already narrow cycle track (fairly narrow for bidirectional travel, anyway).
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22/02532/FUL -- 22/02532/CONDA Passivhaus dwelling at 173 Queen Edith's Way
Concern about the bike/bin store for the CONDA application.
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Cambridge Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) 2024
Cambridge City Council has launched its Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) for 2024, which gives residents the opportunity to identify where they would like the council to fund small-scale improvements to the city’s streets and open spaces.
Cambridge residents are invited to put forward their ideas for the EIP through the council's online consultation platform. A total of £170,000 is available to be allocated to the proposed projects – up to £5,000 is available for local projects unless they are strongly supported in which case up to £10,000 could be made available. Up to £20,000 is available for projects that will enhance larger areas of the city.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Magdalene pinch point
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.
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Injustices for the peace.
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. -
Sign at end of Ferry Lane
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.
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Disgraceful unloading practices by Tesco, East Road, Cambridge
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/ -
East Road-safe cycle route needed to ARU and Petersfield
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? -
Cycle crossing on Barton Road roundabout
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]
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Eastern Gate
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.
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Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton Eastern Access - City Deal scheme
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."
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Mill Road Congestion
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?
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Right turn from St Andrew's St into Downing Street
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.
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Poor lane marking eastbound at Park and Ride on Madingley Road
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.
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16/0673/FUL Cambridge Union Society redevelopment
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
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Coldham's Lane residential development
Plans are emerging for development on the Coldham's Lane site with implications for the surrounding area including links with Cherry Hinton.
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Make use of flashing front lights illegal again
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.
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Cambridge Science Park Cycling and Walking
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
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The need for segregated route to Cambridge Train Station
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?
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U&C Outline planning Application
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.
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Reallocation of cycle space (driverless buses/pods)
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. -
Coldham's Lane / Cromwell Road junction
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?
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inaccurate "no through road" signs, missing "except cycles/pedestrians"
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.
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Rumble strips instead of paint
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?
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Fixing none optimal lanes
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.
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Short Stay cycle parking
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).
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Cambridge Festival of Cycling
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. -
Rate my route - software / app ideas anyone?
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)