City Deal
Urban and Environmental Design Guidance
An updated version of this design guide, now titled ‘Urban Design Guidance for Transport Infrastructure Projects’, is scheduled to be approved by the City Deal Board and Assembly at their meetings in March.
This latest version is very concerning as yet again it sets such low requirements for our city’s infrastructure.
Camcycle believes that, at the very least, this design guide should meet the standards of proven high quality cycle schemes within Cambridge and, ideally, that it aspire to improve upon these. Camcycle has submitted a letter detailing points where the Guidance could be modified to ensure that traffic congestion is reduced and an improved urban environment is achieved. We included a number of street cross sections to illustrate how our suggested changes would have an impact.
Although there is no formal consultation on this document we hope that our submission will support a better version for the second attempt of this very important document.
Cross-city cycle routes
Camcycle is pleased that the construction of Phase 2 of the Hills Road Cycleway is soon to commence. Phase 1 has already seen a massive increase in cycling on Hills Road, despite the hazardous junction at Long Road and poor connection to the Hospital site. Camcycle hopes that Phase 2 will further boost the numbers of people using bikes to get to and from Addenbrooke’s and the Biomedical Campus, as well as giving residents a better route into the city centre. We hope that the Phase 2 works will be completed in a timely manner avoiding the lengthy delays that plagued Phase 1 and that careful consideration is given to ensuring safety for people on bicycles during the works.
Milton Road Local Liason Forum
A resolution was passed supporting the ‘Do Optimum’ design that has been developed by a working group from Milton Road Residents’ Association (MRRA) and Hurst Park Estate Residents’ Association (HPERA), working in alliance with Camcycle (see the next article).
How to keep up with the City Deal
The best way to be informed about what is coming up with the City Deal is to look at the forward plans. An updated plan is included in the agenda files for each City Deal meeting. To make it easy we will post these to a dedicated Cyclescape thread as soon as they become available.
Planning applications
16/1942/FUL 48 New Square Cambridge CB1 1EZ
The creation of 5 self-contained flats through conversion of the existing end-terrace known as No.48 New Square, the demolition of the existing garage and the removal of 4 parking bays.
Camcycle objected as cycle parking was insufficient for residential use in this location. There were a number of fundamental design issues, including a 1.5m wide cycle parking shelter that is not deep enough to cover standard cycles.
16/1916/FUL 61 Norfolk Street Cambridge CB1 2LD
Creation of 5 new flats through change of use of HMO and takeaway and new roof extension and rear annexe.
Both Camcycle and the city Cycling and Walking Officer raised concerns about the lack of detail of the proposed cycle racks.
Consultations
Cycling and the Justice System – All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group
Camcycle submitted a comprehensive response to this inquiry on whether the current judicial system is serving all cyclists. The inquiry focused on four key areas:
- road users and victims
- enforcement and investigation
- criminal law
- driver awareness and civil justice.
CB1 Station development
Camcycle has been consulted on the designs for two more residential and commercial buildings prior to the planning application stage. We are assessing these for cycle parking quality, accessibility, the potential for future expansion of Cyclepoint parking and implications for the Chisholm Trail.
City-wide campaigns
Bollard bothers
There are all kinds of bollards, chicanes and other vertical obstructions on cycle routes in Cambridge. Many may be unnecessary, some are outright dangerous and many could be improved, for example by being made more visible. We’ve had some success getting the bollards on the Busway Cycleway improved and now we want to take on the whole city. Help us by sharing your bollard bothers on Cyclescape 2961.
Street cycle parking
Following the motion passed at our AGM we have resolved to:
- champion the replacement of on-street car parking with cycle parking where it is clearly needed
- identify streets where this should and can be achieved
- work with local councillors to survey demand
- where there is sufficient local support work with local councillors to prepare proposals for funding, for example, from the local highways improvement fund.
Naming names
We would like to have all cycleways in Cambridge named as a means of recognising them officially and ensuring they are registered in emergency service databases etc.
Also
Chisholm Trail
The latest news is that the planning application for the Abbey-Chesterton bridge will be determined on 16 February by the City Council Planning Committee. The Phase One Chisholm Trail application will now be determined by the Joint Development Control Committee, probably on 15 March.
Cycle route between Horningsea and Waterbeach
Camcycle member Bert Santilly and a group of local residents are campaigning for a safe cycle route between Waterbeach and Horningsea along the B1047.
They have met with Councillor Rob Turner (South Cambs District Council) and are surveying the road route, a possible off-road route and current cycle use of the B1047.
CB1 survey report
Camcycle is very concerned about the many issues with the CB1 Station development and is developing a survey report of the site. One issue is the poorly designed and dangerous junction of Great Northern Road and Tenison Road.
Local residents have conducted traffic surveys on Great Northern Road and a meeting has been organised with the Highways Department, councilors and developers