Cambridge Cycling Campaign

For more, better and safer cycling in and around Cambridge

Your Streets This Month

This article was published in 2006, in Newsletter 66.

Core Scheme Stage 4

Streetscape proposals approved for Emmanuel Street despite our reservations.
Photo: Streetscape proposals approved for Emmanuel Street despite our reservations.

The Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee (AJC) met on 24 April and approved the streetscape proposals for Emmanuel Street. We had objected to the proposal for a loading bay outside the NatWest Bank which we consider would present a hazard because vehicles using the bay will have to cross the path of cyclists travelling in the contraflow lane. The AJC, however, approved the loading bay together with the rest of the proposals.

Two-way cycling in one-way streets

Covent Garden is one of only two one-way streets from the seven proposed in which cycling both ways will be permitted.
Photo: Covent Garden is one of only two one-way streets from the seven proposed in which cycling both ways will be permitted.

Seven one-way streets were considered by the AJC for two-way cycling, but not all were approved. The Committee did approve two-way cycling in Mawson Road and Covent Garden but agreed not to proceed with the proposals for Panton Street or Brookside. As for Mackenzie Road, Willis Road and Kingston Street, the AJC decided to support further consultation and concurrent advertisement of associated Traffic Regulation Orders which would include an option to ban the right-hand turn from Mill Road into Kingston Street. This item on the AJC agenda caused very heated debate. (See article)

Gonville Place toucan

Right turns to be allowed when this crossing at Gonville Place is converted to a ‘Toucan’.
Photo: Right turns to be allowed when this crossing at Gonville Place is converted to a ‘Toucan’.

The crossing from Gresham Place to Parker’s Piece will be changed to a toucan. This will mean that a right turn for cyclists will be permitted.

Sainsbury’s roundabout (Coldham’s Lane)

Pelican crossings may be converted to toucans and footways may become shared use.
Photo: Pelican crossings may be converted to toucans and footways may become shared use.

Some money has become available for improvements to be made at this roundabout, which has a bad cycle accident record. However, the money available is not sufficient for major works. Public consultation will now take place on proposals to convert the pelican crossings on Brooks Road and the eastern arm of Coldham’s Lane to toucan crossings and to convert the footway between them and also between the Coldham’s Lane crossing and the existing cycle track in Barnwell Road to dual use. So, although the roundabout itself will remain as it is, cautious cyclists will have the option to avoid the road which they cannot do legally at present.

It is proposed also that the footway along Brooks Road on the Sainsbury’s side from the crossing to all the way to Burnside should be converted to dual use. These paths are all reasonably wide and with good visibility.