Issues

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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:

  • Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2015

    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.

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  • Bus Lane Cameras

    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?

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  • CRC Science Park Busway Junction

    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.

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  • Planning app 14/0492/OUT: new premises for Cambridge Assessment

    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.


    https://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications//applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N3B4T5DX3E000

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  • Newmarket Road Bus Priority

    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.

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  • Gresham Road Resurfacing - No Diversion

    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.

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  • Planning app 14/0447/FUL: conversion of motor showroom to supermarket

    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"


    https://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N2VNGNDX3E000

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  • King's Parade "closed" Monday 7th April

    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?

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  • State of Waterbeach-Lode link

    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.

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  • Girton Interchange "Improvements"

    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.

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  • Planning app 14/0120/FUL: huge new development at Addenbrooke's

    Created by David Earl // 0 threads

    Car Parks P, F1 And F2
    Addenbrookes
    Hills Road

    To provide education centre, private hospital, hotel, conference centre,
    ancillary space, associated car parking and public realm works to replace
    existing surface parking to accommodate 42,600sqm of development.

    http://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N05YF9DX08H00

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