Go-Ahead For More Cycling And Walking Projects In Cambridgeshire

More than 80 projects which encourage cycling and walking across Cambridgeshire have been given the thumbs up by County Council.

Schemes include changes to the layout of Huntingdon ring road, a £70,000 investment in cycle parking for towns and villages in East Cambridgeshire and potentially further temporary measures to restrict certain motor vehicles in Cambridge and its outskirts.

Funding for the 87 schemes comes from the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, which helps create a green economic recovery by encouraging people to cycle and walk, wherever possible.

In Huntingdon, potential schemes could include a trial of temporary segregated cycle lanes across the town, which would include the ring road and Hartford Road. The historic Grade 1 listed Godmanchester bridge could become cycle only, with pedestrians already able to use the neighbouring footbridge. Cars and vans would be diverted via the old A14 and the new Pathfinder link.

Ely and Soham would each gain £50,000 to investigate improving the flow of traffic around their centres and to put in place changes like new one-way streets and cycle lanes. Whilst early proposals looked at changes to individual streets, due to the medieval, narrow roads and the funding requirement for separate walking or cycling improvements, it soon became clear one-way systems would need to be considered.

The roundabout at Freedom Bridge in Wisbech will be improved for pedestrians and cyclists at a cost of £30,000, while £20,000 will be spent in March and Whittlesey on improving pedestrian and cycle connections between the town centres and residential areas and schools.

In Cambridge, several roads including Arbury Road, Grange Road and Union Lane have been put forward for measures to restrict certain motor vehicles, with the aim of banning lorries and car through-traffic. Access to homes and businesses would be retained. All roads will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians.

Major schemes such as proposed road closures will be subject to a formal 6-week consultation period shortly after they are put in place and it's hoped the projects will all be complete in spring 2021.