The Greater Cambridge Partnership is consulting (again) on something that really should have been something they should have dealt with years ago.
You can read their consultation on Hills Road, Cambridge here – on the northern section between Parker’s Piece junction (next to where I want Florence Ada Keynes’ new concert hall) down to Hills Road Sixth Form College – which the more I think about it should be turned into a lifelong learning centre given that they are looking to establish a second campus in North Cambridge – see their consultation here.
‘Do you want option A, or option B? A? Or B? A? B?’
It makes it sound like a game show host. What do you think Audience?!?!
Above – Hills Road Bridge with Puffles’ dragon slide as a reference point on G-Maps
If that isn’t shaping local history with a cuddly toy election candidate, I don’t know what else is! This bit covers the south-western portion of Coleridge ward, a bit of north Queen Edith’s, and a bit of North-east Trumpington.
“The previous Cycling Plus consultation showed that there is a high demand for improved cycling options along this route. At the moment, the options for travelling by bus, walking and cycling don’t do enough to encourage people to travel using sustainable options, and we want to make these more attractive for more people.”
The Greater Cambridge Partnership consultation on Hills Road
Shared busways and cycle lanes are never a good idea.
But that is what Option A proposes – along with the continuous footpaths (25A & 28A) which if I recall correctly is the result of a change in guidance from central government so as to prioritise pedestrians over motorists on side roads. (Which I actually think is a good idea).
Above – floating bus stops proposed for Hills Road Sixth Form College (where Olivia Newton John’s father, Brinley was head teacher of its predecessor institution, the County High School for Boys)
There would need to be something to slow down the cyclists at this point given the thousands of teenagers that cross back and forth repeatedly every day during term time. (I was one of them back in the day!)
Above – the ‘Cyclops’ junction as proposed. I can’t see how this is compatible with traffic lights on a very busy road junction. Esp cyclists crossing in front of traffic turning off Cherry Hinton Road onto Hills Road into the city centre.
My view remains that bigger light-rail-based public transport infrastructure projects, alongside facilities to support the expansion of cycle-based delivery in place of van-based delivery are needed to reduce road traffic at source. Junction redesign can only go so far given existing and ‘do nothing’ scenarios on the future of traffic growth. The same goes for identifying where different facilities needed for cities to function are located. Hence my support for Cambridge Connect Light Rail because a sizeable amount of traffic would be taken off the roads by the existence of a light rail alternative from Haverhill to Cambridge City Centre that goes via Addenbrooke’s.
Above from Cambridge Connect & Rail Future. How many motor journeys that travel along Hills Road could be transferred to a light rail alternative?
The late Mayor Nigel Gawthrope told us to build bridges. So why don’t we?”
Even more so given that even a handful of new footbridges and/or cycle bridges could make journeys between communities and nearby facilities much quicker on foot. The problem is with poor urban design from previous planning applications stemming from poor decision-making and a broken planning system.
Above: How to get from The Signal Box community room to The Junction Arts Centre
There’s an inevitable wider design flaw in terms of the lack of a path from the cycleway next to the (still unsafe) guided busway onto Hills Road – where the “Signal Box” label is, the pathway is blocked by a gate, with no public right of way. (ICYMI the county council and BAM Nuttall have finally concluded their decade-long dispute by settling out of court. And not telling anyone the terms of their agreement)
Above – from G-Maps – the gate that blocks a route from the cycleway to Trumpington onto Hills Road.
Note how useful a footbridge from The Junction to the railway station (or even a footpath to a new eastern entrance which East-West Rail should be funding)
A new Eastern Entrance for Cambridge Station?
“There were suggestions that a new eastern entrance to the station should be created, as well as a new footbridge.”
Network Rail p12 of EWR Consultatiopn Feedback Chapter 10 Section F.
Actually the time was back in 1950 when Holford & Wright recommended it, but better late than never – this from Rail Future East in 2018 – have a read!
Above. -from Rail Future East. Can we get the GCP to at least part-fund this?
Anyway, let the GCP know what you think. If your views are outside of the scope then drop an email to your county councillor (they do transport things) unless you know your city councillor is interested in transport policies. (See https://www.writetothem.com/)
Also, for those who live locally, do join The Junction’s membership scheme – if only to support their work with children and young people who don’t otherwise get to see arts performances. I’m trying to persuade councillors and The Junction to come up with a local publicity drive to get more residents who live nearby supporting their work. This stems from my blogpost several years ago here.
Furthermore, it makes sense to have the contact details of interested people who live locally who can respond quickly to any last minute ticket availability for shows that don’t sell out and/or that risk running at a loss if ticket sales are low. I’m hoping that they will be able to put on some sort of event marketed towards local residents in the early autumn. (I’ve asked, but if you can ask as well it could happen!)
Food for thought?
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