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 Waterbeach Cycling Campaign:
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
As this is at the Science Park I thought it might be of interest to some members.
Installation of new bike store.
334-335, Cambridge Science Park, Milton, Cambridgeshire
http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=S/1499/16/FL
South Cambridgeshire
Application reference : S/1499/16/FL
Created by Jon Jennings // 3 threads
Public transport is limited as it does not give a door to door service making it impracticable for many people, and also it's slow on congested roads. Cycling does give that flexibility of allowing people to travel as and where they want quickly, however is no good for most people who need to travel more than 5 miles. Sitting in my car on the way to work, in a traffic jam, watching all the cranes and building work going on in Cambridge bringing more people into the area, I was wondering how to solve this conundrum.
So I hit upon the idea of having Cycle Portals, or simply put combining public transport with cycles. For example by running a roll on roll off Bus between Is Ives and Cambridge, commuters could cycle the first part of their journey from home to the "Cycle Portal" and cycle onto a open plan bus ( i.e. a modified bendy bus with big doors and no seats ). The bus would wiz along the busway to the "Exit Portal" in Cambridge where they could disembark and continue their journeys to wherever.
The more I think about it the more I think this has great potential at creating a real alternative to the car. With Cycle Portals to places like Addenbrookes, Sawston, new housing developments outside of Cambridge and so on cycling could provide a quick door to door transport solution. Your views?
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 2 threads
The City Council is launching a consultation on community facilities. This may be a good opportunity to review the cycle parking arrangements at these locations and ask for improvements where required.
Created by Skippy62 // 1 thread
Hello All! I have only been a member for a few days, but have a question:
Does anyone else get an inordinate number of punctures on the Cycle path on the Bus-way between St Ives & Histon? I have had 4 punctures in 6 trips!!!! Bike is new, (Raleigh Pioneer) has Schwalbe Silento puncture-resistant tyres, Pumped up hard! Size 700c x 35.
I don't ride over brambles/barbed-wire/broken bottles (lol). When i mentioned this to a local bike shop, i was told by the shop assistant, that punctures on the Bus-way are common, & he would never use it!!!!. I'm in my '50s, & am trying to lose a bit of middle-aged spread!, & absolutely love cycling along the Bus-way, peaceful, tranquil,looking at the scenery etc, & it's not too huge a journey to cause cardiac arrest!!!I live in Willingham, & if i stick to roads, i don't get punctures, but i don't get the same pleasure as on the (peaceful) Cycle-way.
Sorry to have waffled on... i put it down to my age!!!
Any thoughts?...Anyone?.. or have i just been very unlucky?
Thanks for your time :)
Simon
Created by Hester Wells // 8 threads
An Issue for report and discussion of busway collisions, incursions onto the busway, or obstructions on the busway
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
What is the Draft Transport Strategy for East Cambridgeshire?
We have drafted a transport strategy to tackle the current and future transport pressures in and around the district, and to help support growth in East Cambridgeshire. The purpose of this strategy is to:
Provide a detailed policy framework and Action Plan of potential transport improvements for the area, addressing current problems and consistent with the policies of the third Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2031 (LTP3).
Support the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan, and take account of the committed and predicted levels of growth, detailing the transport infrastructure and services necessary to deliver this growth.
The strategy contains details of the schemes proposed in the short and medium term as well as the longer term schemes as proposed in the Long Term Transport Strategy.
We want the views of anyone who lives, works, visits or travels through East Cambridgeshire in order to improve this draft transport strategy. Let us know your views on the strategy objectives, policies and the action plan of proposed transport improvements for the area by answering the questionnaire before the 8th April 2016.
View the TSEC consultation leaflet (pdf, 1MB) for a summary of the information we are consulting on and answer the questionnaire. Alternatively, hard copies of the consultation leaflet and questionnaire are available at libraries and doctors surgeries around East Cambridgeshire or by request via the contact details below.
Come to talk to us and fill in a questionnaire at one of the public exhibitions below:
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
The County appointed an officer back in June to review parking policy across the County, starting with the City.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 4 threads
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/consultations/have-your-say-about-our-climate-change-strategy-for-2016-to-2021 Have your say about our Climate Change Strategy for 2016 to 2021 Consultation runs from 14 October 2015, 12:00am to 12 January 2016, 11:59pm Introduction and background Cambridge City Council is committed to supporting international efforts to mitigate climate change and to taking steps to support residents and businesses to respond to the effects of climate change. Consultation information We have produced a new draft Climate Change Strategy 2016 to 202 to provide a framework for our action from April 2016 to March 2021 to help address climate change. You are invited to give your views on the draft strategy by completing this consultation survey: Climate Change Strategy 2016 to 2021: Online survey This survey forms part of the public consultation on the Climate Change Strategy, which runs from 14 October 2015 to 12 January 2016. The strategy will replace our current Climate Change Strategy 2012 to 2016
Created by Chris Brown // 3 threads
Threads discussing approaches for priority given to cyclists at traffic lights around Cambridge, such as 'all way cycle green', 'left turn on red', 'advance green' approaches
Created by Heather Coleman // 4 threads
I can't find anywhere sensible to put such things so this is a general issue for people to start specific threads pertaining to temporary closures.
Created by David Green // 1 thread
My employer is planning to relocate from central cambridge to the Cambridge Business Park (near Waterbeach). There is currently no decent cycle (or footpath!) access to this business park which avoids riding along the A10. I am a confident cyclist but I am not looking forward to riding to work along sections of the A10.
Are there any plans for cycle route construction which the campaign can, perhaps, help accelerate?
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
Altering the guidance given to planning with respect to walking/cycling
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The County Council is proposing to power off street lights overnight for most residential streets in Cambridge.
http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=15022&PlanId=0&Opt=3#AI14389
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 3 threads
Thread for County Council Economy and Environment Committee meetings
http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/CommitteeMinutes/Committees/Committee.aspx?committeeID=74
Created by Tim Steele // 1 thread
Not sure why these signs are here. This isn't Route 51 or Route 11 and you can't turn here in any case.
Created by Tim Steele // 1 thread
Some route 51 signs have appeared here, although it's not on route 51
Created by Richard Taylor // 1 thread
Proposal for three new pedestrian and cycle access points to Cambridge Business Park. The proposals are being made in light of the plans for an new station nearby.
Representations from companies with premises on the business park - Redgate and Autonomy - have expressed concerns about security and the potential for people to try and park on the business park and then get on a train.
The proposals are for the new accesses to be gated to restrict general public access.
The proposals include a connection to the potential cycleway along the line of the disused railway.
Cambridge Business Park Cowley Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 0WZ
Cambridge
Application reference: 15/0919/FUL
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
Sustrans invites comments by 30 June on its draft chapters of a "Cycle-friendly Design Manual".
This document, once published, could influence local authorities to provide better, safer cycle routes, and so persuade people who are not yet cycling their every day journeys to do so.
Your comments please to designandconstruction@sustrans.org.uk by 30 June.
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 3 threads
Campaign to issue annual Bicycle Friendly Awards to business, colleges, universities, departments, shops, employers, delivery business, taxi companies, places of worship etc.
This process frames, develops and establishes local bicycle "culture," gives positive feedback and publicity.
Evaluation could focus on
1) support for employees and customers who cycle
2) education of (professional) drivers on how to safely interact with cyclists on the road
etc
Precedent could be the League of American Bicyclists http://bikeleague.org/business They issue such recognition annually to cities, campus, business etc and involve local members in the evaluation process
Threads on various categories of recipients to design process and assemble contacts
The Greater Cambridge City Deal has allocated £22 million over the next 5 years for:
"City Centre capacity improvements/cross-city cycle improvements"
see:
http://www.gccitydeal.co.uk/citydeal/info/2/transport/1/transport/2
Removal of car parking is an easily achievable way of making cycling more pleasant (and safer) Both the removal/relocation of Pay and Display and restrictions to all day commuter car parking on residential roads that form part of 'quiet roads' for cycling should form part of this funding stream.
This narrow shared use path has been recently completed. Discussions as to whether it is adequate.
Created by Heather Coleman // 2 threads
I subscribe to the Histon/Impington/Milton/Longstanton e-cops mailing list. We are now getting daily updates of crimes in the sector.
I'm noticing a lot of thefts of cycles parked at the various busway stops. Actually the busway stops are frankly useless unless you do park a bike there. The one at Swavesey is a good half a mile from the nearest end of the village. The one at Longstanton is similar. Most of Histon is a fair old hike on foot from Histon station. I suspect many who use the busway from further afield keep a bike at the Science Park or Orchard Park to avoid the traffic queues or to actually get to where they want to go without having to go all the way into the city and back out again.
Does anyone else have any anecdotal data on a) numbers of people who cycle at one or both ends of their busway journey and b) cycle theft statistics?
I'm seeing reports several times a week. At this rate, it makes using a bicycle to get to and from the busway unsustainable.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 2 threads
The Speedwatch scheme allows the public to get actively involved in monitoring the speed of vehicles travelling through their neighbourhood. It is used in areas where speeding has been identified as a priority at quarterly neighbourhood panel meetings. The scheme is run by the force alongside the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership. It is about educating motorists in the law in relation to speeding and monitoring any trends in speeding in neighbourhoods.
Volunteers are trained to use speed indicator devices which displays vehicle speed. The registered owner of any vehicle seen exceeding the speed limit is sent an advisory letter from their local neighbourhood policing team, explaining that speeding is unacceptable to the local community.
Created by Hester Wells // 1 thread
There is un-allocated money available from northern area s106 agreements for Cambridge and South cambs.
The council are currently looking for suggestions on how to spend it, within the requirements for the projects, which include the local transport policy priorities for walking, cycling and public transport.
The map is not accurate for the area covered: it certainly includes north Cambridge, a bit of Castle, and Histon, but the map was only up briefly. Once the minutes for the North Area Committee are published the definitive map will be available.
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.
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Martin Lucas-Smith // 29 threads
Proposed route along the rail corridor through Cambridge, part of which is in the Cambridge Local Plan.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
I've visited Riverside to Waterbeach with William Rayner of county cycling team. He's revising signage here and providing it along the St Ives corridor, with the old NCN 51 being renamed Regional Route 24 (blue patch). We've decided finally to continue to sign NCN 11 from Riverside Bridge to Waterbeach Station, and he's looking at suitable (hopefully temporary) wording to advise to follow NCN 51 to Bottisham for destinations beyond Waterbeach, which will hopefully eliminate misrouting those from outside the area.
Our inspection of existing signs showed that only one new signboard was provided on completion 5 years ago of Riverside Bridge. Signboards still send people via Green Dragon. Sustrans considers signage is an important part of any route project.
The intention is to sign Milton Country Park as a destination, not as part of the route, removing route signs within the park, and probably retaining Coles Road as the signed route through the village, though it would be much preferable to have improvements past the shops and the village green, pubs etc.
Retaining the route to Waterbeach as NCN will help keep the gap in people's awareness.
I am planning to contact again the landowner of the missing link between Bottisham Lock and Fen Road, Lode with a suggestion for a low-level route, southeast side of the Bottisham Lode floodbank which is the route of the public footpath, where signs forbid cycling. It might be considered more visually acceptable. All parish councils are for the route, including the one of which he is a member.
As the bridleway crosses Milton Road, it swaps sides of the busway, so most pedestrians and cyclists want to cross diagonally. However the toucan crossing only protects people crossing Milton Road. It doesn't stop busway traffic.
This is confusing and dangerous. When the road traffic stops at red lights, and the Toucan crossing turns green, it feels very safe to cross the busway. Yet buses can come from three directions (busway west, busway east, Milton Road south) at speeds of 30 mph.
Cyclists in particular are tempted to cross diagonally from north west to south east. Last week I saw a near accident.
Created by David Green // 1 thread
My employer is planning to relocate from central cambridge to the Cambridge Business Park (near Waterbeach). There is currently no decent cycle (or footpath!) access to this business park which avoids riding along the A10. I am a confident cyclist but I am not looking forward to riding to work along sections of the A10.
Are there any plans for cycle route construction which the campaign can, perhaps, help accelerate?
Created by Robin Heydon // 9 threads
The A14 is a very hostile, dangerous road for cycling.
Improvements to it, as well as broader changes to the national framework for cyclist crossings of major roads, are needed.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 10 threads
Milton Road, like other main roads in the city, is a mix of typically bad bits of cycle infrastructure. There is considerable scope, possibly within the City Deal funding, to rework the whole streetscape to Dutch standards.
Vehicles are continually abusing cyclists who use the road here because the bus lane on the other side forces the carriageway to be narrow.
Although there is the cycleway, it has the usual problems of loss of priority at sideroads, bins in the way, people going in and out of driveways, etc.
Created by Robin Heydon // 2 threads
The Landbeach Parish Council would like the bridgeway from Landbeach to Cambridge to be upgraded to a cycleway.
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 12 threads
Project Orange is an attempt develop our general strategy during the year 2013.
It involves
1) Should Cambridge Go Dutch (or Copenhagenize)
2) A more assertive stance in our interactions with agencies: Demanding of them to make feasible what seems infeasible
3) focus on a regional area 10 miles (15 km) around Cambridge and a dartboard network structure to connect villages,
4) the development of a Bicycle Infrastructure Assessment Tool (BIAC) which will allow us to grade and praise provision
5) Priority over sideroads as part of a Dutch-style approach
5) Development of Visualisation Tools for major projects (Chisholm Trail, Newnham to Newmarket Rd, Mitcham's Corner)
Martin Lucas-Smith // 4 threads
London Cycling Campaign has reorientated its policy towards a 'Go Dutch' approach.
This aims to learn from best practice abroad rather than continuing with the 'hierarchy of provision' that, in 20 years in the UK, has arguably failed to deliver meaningful change.
This is an overarching issue for conceptual discussion of this issue.
Created by Colin Bell // 1 thread
Has there been any improvement in the "new" NCN 11 route from Waterbeach to Lode since last summer? Last time I went that way I had to wheel the bike across fields and carry it over two or three stiles.
Any information, including a forecast date when a proper route is likely to be built, welcome. Thanks.
Created by David Earl // 4 threads
There are some evil short grey posts on the busway cycleway that are really hard to see in the dark. I have heard of a number of people hitting them with disastrous consequences
Created by Cllr Ian Manning // 1 thread
The County appointed an officer back in June to review parking policy across the County, starting with the City.
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 1 thread
A Camcycle member is looking at starting a local campaign group with the aim of getting a cycleway to connect the villages of Horningsea and Waterbeach along the B1047.
Please share your ideas and advice for the route here.
Over the past couple of years of regularly cycling between Waterbeach and Cambridge on NCN11 I have noticed that the path between Waterbeach and Baits Bite Lock is in really bad repair and is getting gradually worse. I have been in touch with the council to ask them to repair it, and they told me that as far as they are concerned the path is only a footpath, and they have no obligation to maintain it to a standard suitable for bikes. Sustrans tells me they have no responsibility for maintaining that section of the route, and that the council should be responsible for it.
It seems absurd to allow the path to fall into total disrepair, but at the moment it doesn't seem like anyone recognises any obligation for its upkeep.
I am happy to go out occasionally with some secateurs and chop off the more annoying bits of greenery, but the path needs resurfacing and that feels a bit beyond me!
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of problem? Have they come across it on other sections of the NCN?
Created by Matthew // 2 threads
On 1 January 2026, historic routes in England that aren’t properly recorded will be lost to the public forever. We are looking for people to volunteer their time to help us identify and register these routes before it is too late.
Created by cobweb // 40 threads
"The Greater Cambridge City Deal was signed by Central Government, Council leaders, businesses and the University of Cambridge and aims to secure hundreds of millions of pounds for the areas of Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire.
The Greater Cambridge City Deal aims to ensure that the success of the area continues by investing in the transport infrastructure, housing and skills needed to see future economic growth.
The first £100m of funding will be made available for transport improvements in the five years from April 2015."
Created by Roxanne (Cycling Campaign Officer) // 3 threads
The government has announced it will hold a consultation on the introduction of the battery-powered scooters to British roads.
What are the implications for people cycling, walking and scooting?
What is Camcycle's position/policy about e-scooters?
Created by cobweb // 1 thread
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121109a
A DfT consultation to see whether speed limits on single carriageways should be introduced for HGV's. This will clearly have implications for cycle safety.
Created by Al Storer // 2 threads
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
Created by Anna Williams – Comms Officer // 2 threads
Camcycle's time and energy is consistently taken up removing exclusionary barriers (e.g. Biomedical Campus, A14 active travel bridges, Warren Road). We need to consider long-term ways to prevent new barriers going in and remove existing ones which prevent people of all ages and abilities cycling.
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.
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
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 Heather Coleman // 1 thread
I've had a letter from the council. Not sure if someone put a copy through my door as they knew I was interested in the Fen Road, Milton, as it's dated 30th June which is over two weeks ago.
I think "suface dressing" ie loose chippings, is a totally inappropriate treatment for a road which has not that much motor traffic and rather a lot of cycle traffic. The loose chippings will be a skid and physical hazard for cyclists for months to come.