Wandlebury Country Park to Babraham Research Campus cycleway
Cycleway being built by the County Council - will run for a mile-and-a-half between Wandlebury Country Park and Babraham Research Campus, a major science development hub.
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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Zizzi Restaurant on Bene't St - website
Sorry, being a bit tongue in cheek here, but this just made me cross. And no-one has to follow this issue if they don't want to!
website here
http://www.zizzi.co.uk/venue/index/cambridge-benet-streetI've been "in touch" and left these comments:
"Your Cambridge Bene't St restaurant is allegedly "inspired by the huge cycling community". Therefore how come, in the "get directions" bit of the page, the only transport options are "car", "walk" or "train"? I know how to get from my place of employment to Bene't St by bike and even that there's a large underground cycle park just around the corner but, frankly, this is poor, and your marketing people need a rocket.
I will be posting the url of the restaurant and these comments on Cyclescape to see what the rest of the huge cycling community think."
I'll see what reply I get from their "customer experience team" and post it here as a thread when I do hear back from them.
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HGV and LGV traffic on Nuffield Road
Campaign for a 300m section of the unguided busway between Milton Road and the pedestrian and cyclists access at the end of Nuffield Close to be built as a road, providing a more direct access for lorries and cars to the trading estate.
Nuffield Road’s residential section should then be cut-off for motorised through traffic just past Discovery Way, turning the first part of Nuffield Road into a residential close.
Petition: http://iitm.be/ChestertonTrafficReduction
Picture Gallery: http://iitm.be/NuffieldRoad -
East Area Committee meetings
Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The East Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/east-area-committee
Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public.
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North Area Committee meetings
Area Committees are a joint meeting attended by both city and county councillors. They decide on planning issues in the area, but also have a role in the allocation of community development money from S106 contributions. They offer an opportunity to engage with multiple councillors at once, through the Open Forum section and speaking on specific Agenda items. The North Area's website is here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/north-area-committee
Speaking at these meetings is a good way of making your feelings on matters the councils control public.
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Pampisford to Granta Park proposed cycleway
The County Council has sent Cambridge Cycling Campaign an outline consultation on a proposed cycleway to Granta Park (the PDF will be attached to this issue in a thread). There's not a lot of detail about e.g. junctions, and nothing about how this relates to any extension of the cycleway between Wandlebury and Brabraham. It appears they have abandoned attempts to use the bridleway between Baraham and Abington and chosen a route along the A5050 instead.
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Carter Cycle Bridge Western Access Improvements
Hidden away in the planning application for the Skanska development around the new Northern Access Road to Cambridge station are detailed proposals for the redesigned cycle access to the western end of Carter Bridge:
http://idox.cambridge.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=MPYVR2DX08L00
[Scroll down to 'CARTER CYCLE BRIDGE WESTERN ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS'.]My concern is that the new junction with the bridge on-ramp will be difficult and dangerous to negotiate for cyclists and pedestrians. With 450 cycle movements towards the city at peak time, this will be a busy junction where cyclists are moving rapidly as they descend the slope. Those cyclists heading for the station will have to break hard before turning across the path of oncoming cyclists and across the footway in order to join the new link path.
This is undoubtedly an improvement on the existing arrangement (which involves crossing Devonshire Road twice to access the station), but two options that seem to have been considered in the past but rejected would be safer and more convenient:
1) Opening a route via Ravensworth Gardens through the existing wall at the boundary of the station car park.
2) Adding a cycle-only ramp joining the south side of the bridge opposite the stairway.
Any thoughts?
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Trumpington CGB Shared Use Conflict
Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on stretch of CGB shared-use path alongside allotments and CGB in Trumpington
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Waterbeach Station Cycle Parking
Looks like they've just improved the cycle parking at Waterbeach railway station, doubling it to 24 bicycles.
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Botanic Gardens area cycle lanes: Trumpington Road between Brooklands Avenue and Bateman Street
This area has long had dangerous cycle lanes that encourage people to cycle in the dooring zone.
The County have funds to upgrade this section. The question now is what should be present instead.
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Cycle lane infringement on Pembroke Street and Downing Street
Because of queuing for the Grand Arcade car park, amongst other things, the mandatory cycle lane on Pembroke Street and Downing Street is routinely abused by motor vehicles – one every 66 seconds on a Saturday afternoon http://www.cyclestreets.net/galleries/221/.
The corner at Free School Lane is a particular concern because vehicles traveling east can't see oncoming cycles.
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lack of queue busting cycle lane
Since they appear to have changed the phasing at the lights at Cherry Hinton Road the other side of the railway bridge this morning, it becomes ever more apparent that if you have queueing traffic all the way southbound from Station Road to Cherry Hinton Road, the lack of even a narrow "queue-busting" cycle lane here, combined with the shocking state of the kerbside approx 9 inches of road surface (uneven cobbles and slabs, very slippery, very difficult even to use while scooting your bike along by a foot on the pavement), that cyclists are being seriously held up. Once the advisory lane outside the Centennial Hotel (well obeyed by drivers this morning in general apart from when the right hand turn queue for Brooklands Ave starts) ends, you just get stuck in a queue of kerb-car-car traffic and cannot access the ASL at the junction with Brookgate, in order to take advantage of the cycle lanes which queue-bust you across the railway bridge.
This leads to a) pavement cycling, b) people nipping in and out of a queue of vaguely stationary/starting to move traffic c) nipping back infront of traffic which is starting to move at the lights after white lining to get past the queue. All of the cars stuck in that queue will have to wait at least two cycles of the lights at Cherry Hinton Road before proceeding and thus are just an obstruction.
Given that this is a relatively recently refurbished/altered road, I suppose this should have been spotted at the time.
What can be done about it retrospectively? If the traffic light phasing at Cherry Hinton Road stays as it is, there will be an accident before too long.
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Changes on Cherry Hinton Road approach to Hills Road
What on earth do they think they are doing here? The cycle lane alongside the new development on Cherry Hinton Road (former Tim Brinton motors) has been removed (after being closed for months) and now splits into two, one part directing cycles onto what looks like it will become an exceptionally narrow cycleway on the pavement (which ends up rejoining the road just at the lights on the far left); or diverting cycles in a weird swerve out into the road to meet the sides of the constant queue of vehicles.
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Addenbrooke's Road extension to Robinson Way
The new road between Addenbrooke's Road and Robinson Way has some poor design features.
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S/2060/13/FL Closure of level crossing, replacement with footbridge
Network Rail planning application for replacement of level crossing with footbridge
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King's Hedges CRC
This roadworks is very extensive. There are many cones. However this lorry just blocks not only the lane but the sight lines just next to St Kilda avenue
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Infringement of East Road cycle lane
The new flats at the fire station seem to be attracting delivery vehicles to unload in the cycle lane at the west end of East Road. The wide lane here is separated from the road by cross hatching. Should we ask for physical segregation on this short length, e.g armadillos. Would delivery vehicles still bump over them to park are make matters worse to get round them? Would a barrier be effective?
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All-green phase at Silver Street / Queen's Road junction
This junction has often been suggested a prime site where a continental-style 'all green phase' signalling scheme could be tried.
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Green Dragon pub sign
The landlord of the Green Dragon has taken to putting a big advertising sign at the bottom of the north side of the bridge. This is a busy spot and the sign doesn't help make things any less awkward.
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Fort St George bridge closed for maintenance Autumn 2014 for 8 weeks
County Council press release: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/News/Details.aspx?ref=1154
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Green Dragon bridge closed for maintenance 6 January 2014 for 8 weeks
County Council press release: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/News/Details.aspx?ref=1154
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Sheeps Green bridge closed for maintenance 11 November 2013 for 8 weeks
County Council press release:
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/News/Details.aspx?ref=1154 -
Jesus Lock bridge closed for maintenance 6 January 2014 for 8 weeks
County Council press release: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CMSWebsite/Apps/News/Details.aspx?ref=1154
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Bike-bus Sundays and Bank Holidays
I propose the creation of bike/bus scheme: a bus service for Sundays and Bank holidays leaving Cambridge Rail Station, heading out through Barton Road and linking Burwash Manor, Wimpole Hall, Gamlingay Woods, Great Gransden Woods etc in a circular route. Short cycle routes to be developed around villages along the route. Cyclists can choose the length of journey they want to make and be assured of a ride home by bus if they do not wish to cycle back to Cambridge...
A 24 cycle bike-trailer can be towed behind a 20 seater bus, providing sustainable tourism access to South Cambridgeshire and passenger transport services for settlements that do not currently have Sunday services. Please respond and state whether you would be interested in such a service.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Coldhams Lane
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.
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Dangerous Snakey Path trail
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.
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Trumpington busway - campaign for improvements
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.
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New barrier on Addenbrookes busway bridge
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. -
E-scooters and micromobility
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?
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Fitzroy Lane has no pavement
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.
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Hostile driving on Red Cross Lane
"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.
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Huntingdon Road: Girton Corner area improvements needed
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. -
insufficient visibility due to solid building site boundary
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.
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Mere Way ( ancient path )
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 .
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S/3018/15/COND5 Northstowe Phase 1 cycle routes details
Surfacing includes gravel and grit.
Cycle chicanes shown on diagrams.
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20/04969/FUL: Extensions and alterations to Babbage House, CB3 0AT
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
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Removing exclusionary barriers across Cambridgeshire
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.
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Long wait to cross Busway / Station Road, Histon
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!
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Unlit post hazard
Where the path splits there is a marker post that is completely invisible at night. It should be fitted with reflective material or removed.
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Downing College now banning cycling through their grounds
Downing College are cracking down further on people cycling through the area. Gate now moved and is locked.
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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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Poor road quality on Newmarket Road
It has an uneven degraded surface in the cycle lanes from the Elizabeth Way roundabout until the bridge.
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Visibility at Perne Road / Cherry Hinton Road junction
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
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A14 Histon Interchange is Hostile to Bikes
The A14 Histon Interchange is hostile to bikes as their is no way to safely cross the entrance slip roads onto the A14.
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Ring Fort Path
There is a need for a link between the A14 Histon interchange with Ring Fort Path in Orchard Park.
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CB1 station area: cycle parking and access
Many issues here about cycle parking - not only the station itself but the CB1 area
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Bike Harvest June 2012
Aims of a bike harvest:
- Reduce bike ‘litter’
- Improve the number of available bike parking spaces
- Recycle bikes and provide affordable bikes (with lights) for new students
- Employ disadvantaged people -
Bus drivers and cyclists in harmony
Various issues in Cambridge regarding bus driving and cyclist interactions. Work needs to be done to deal with this.
(This is actually a city-wide issue, but I've marked this as the bus station for now.)
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Bike Parking Shortage at Hills Rd 6th Form College
Rather than providing adequate cycle parking for their pupils this Sixth Form college is discouraging cycling and increasing the likelihood of cycle theft. The bikes that were previously attached to these railings are now left on the opposite side of the road where they are not so securely parked. See http://cambridge.cyclestreets.net/location/27865/ #27865 or #27866
Although some cycle parking does seem to have been provided: http://cambridge.cyclestreets.net/location/28093/ #28093, #28092 it is clearly not enough