Agenda item

·       Chisholm Trail and Ring Fort Path                                PW

·       Cycle Ambition Grant Schemes                                     VK

·       Two-way cycling on one-way streets                            CR

·       Chisholm Trail. PR circulated a map. Officers are looking at linkages between the two Cambridge rail stations as well as wider links via the Guided Bus routes. An outline phased plan will be set up to examine deliverability and this will go out for early consultation with local cycle groups. Negotiation with Network Rail and Greater Anglia was on-going with regard to links through CB1. The establishing of a link between CB1 and Mill Road Bridge depends on further works such as demolition of a small building in liaison with Network Rail and land has been set aside as part of the Travis Perkins site application to allow for the route.

o   Infrastructure delivery (bridge). Various options are being explored for a new bridge over the Cam. Cllr Rosenstiel enquired as to whether such initiatives were being tied in with the closure of level crossings to vehicles. According to PR, once the Chisholm Trail is fully developed, routes between key areas will be largely off-road.

o   Links with Coldham’s Common Bridge. Officers will be considering improvements to the Cromwell Road junction should this proposal be explored further. The route across Coldham’s Common would need to be widened to accommodate increased cycle usage however. AP questioned the potential impact of a new bridge and its approach ramps etc. on Ditton Meadows. PR stressed that current plans were only indicative ahead of a detailed design phase.

·       Ring Fort Path. Officers are in the process of developing a feasibility study following significant support shown for the Cambridge Cycling Campaign’s proposal for a new path. Officers have been exploring various options and have been in discussions with landowners and other stakeholders. The stability of the embankment (created from earthworks following the redevelopment of the roundabout) will need to be thoroughly examined. A consultation phase will then follow although officers are confident discussions on the details can take place in due course.

·       Cycle Ambition Grant Schemes (VK). These are primarily intended to encourage new cyclists.

o   Huntingdon Road. A segregated cycle lane is proposed from north of Girton Road to Oxford Road. The scheme was not terminated at Storey’s Way due to strong public opinion. The consultation period will run from 26^th February to the end of March on the following segregation options:

1. hard kerb segregation (2.1m wide)

2. a hybrid option – raised cycle lane with no kerbing (such as proposed for the NIAB site)

3. a combination of the two.

The Group discussed the options and agreed that hard kerb segregation was preferable as it provides cyclists with greater safety. According to CR however, some of the more experienced cyclists oppose segregation as it may reduce overtaking capability.  AP expressed concern regarding segregation requiring a narrowing of the carriageway outside the city.

o   Hills Road improvements (between Cherry Hinton Road and Long Road). Consultation will again run 26^th February to the end of March. A hybrid 2.7m wide lane will be among the options proposed.

o   VK confirmed that the County Council are proposing to reduce on-pavement shared use as this is very unpopular with both pedestrians and cyclists. Officers are in discussions with a consultant regarding improvements e.g. to Long Road and the hazardous right turn into Purbeck Road.

The current timetable is to have improvements e.g.at Hills Road in place by May 2015. The short-term availability of funds is a problem as officers would wish for better longer-term solutions for these difficult junctions according to VK.

o   Bateman Street and Brooklands Avenue. (Cllr Ward declared that Mrs Ward had attended a recent consultation workshop on proposed improvements on behalf of CUP.)

By-directional cycle lanes are being considered although this would need to involve the removal of parked cars. The Botanic Gardens have confirmed they are happy to lose some parking provision. Cllr Cantrill enquired as to whether improvements were being considered for the Bateman Street junction as cycle traffic from Coe Fen to the Station area was often heavy. VK confirmed that various options were being considered.

·       Two-way cycling on one-way streets (CR)

o   Progress has been delayed due to recommendations made by the Safety Auditors. Plans have been amended as a result. The Group examined the list of proposed streets that is to be taken to the 2^nd stage safety audit. Officers did not support the inclusion of Swann Road due to the difficulty in delivering it safely but it was felt that Mercer’s Row would still offer better access to businesses and the ball park. Officers will consult locally on all the proposed roads following feedback from the Safety Auditors.