Question 2

Mostly yes

No answer given

Mostly yes

Developing the new district around key walking and cycling routes and removing barriers on the routes to nearby areas is very important and all the links marked on the map must be included. However, more improvements will be needed to make cycling and walking safe and convenient for all ages and abilities across North Cambridge and to make sure each route is suitable for the number of people that will be using it. In particular, I would like to see the pedestrian/cycle bridge over the railway expanded to a road bridge with access to Chesterton Fen. This would allow the level crossing to be shut to motor traffic (needed as the number of trains on this line increases) and Fen Road to become a quieter route for cyclists and pedestrians. There will be high numbers of people travelling this way from the new development to the Riverside and city centre and to and from the Chisholm Trail. Rerouting motor traffic away from Fen Road would not only provide a safer route for people walking and cycling here, but would reduce motor traffic movements through the residential neighbourhoods of East Chesterton and improve access (including emergency services) for the communities in Chesterton Fen. All new and upgraded infrastructure should be designed in accordance with Local Transport Note 1/20.

Mostly not

The towpath is already very overcrowded and frightening to ride and walk along, especially at 'rush-hour' with people coming into and out of the city. I am concerned about the increasing use of e-scooters that will travel fast along the cycle/pedestrian paths at speed. It is especially dangerous for the hard of hearing and those with impaired vision. The upkeep of cycle paths is poor - uneven surfaces, insufficient lighting and overhanging bushes. Who will have the responsibility for this in the future? What a shame that the green bridge idea has been ditched.

Mostly not

The development is going to put even more pressure on existing and already busy cycle routes, so unless cycling facilities in the rest of Cambridge are improved and extended people will be discouraged from cycling.

Mostly yes

No answer given

Neutral

Do not like to be neutral - but some elements are good, others not

Mostly not

Cambridge is the no. 1 cycling city in England. The bicycle is the preferred way of undertaking short or medium journeys for many local citizens and a combination of public transport, waling and cycling is the only way of ensuring we can grow the local infrastructure to accomodate the approx 18000 new residents, many of whom will want access the shops or their places of work in the city centre. Additionally, many residents across Cambridge will be cycling to the 20,000 new jobs proposed in the plan. The plan is for 75% of the additional journeys to be by foot, cycle or public transport. The only sensible cycle route is along the river: in fact a pedestrian & cycle bridge is proposed to connect the new development to the Haling Way towpath to facilitate that. We will have thousands of extra daily cycle journeys can be expected on existing or planned routes with adverse effect on all road users unless well planned infastructure is provided. Places with potential for conflict include a) the Haling Way - 'shared use path' towpath pedestrians and cyclists. And the occasional illegal off-road vehicle. b) along Fen Road already pinched by on-street parking, heavy traffic including frequent skip lorries and heavy diesel vehicles such as vans and c) over the new bridge to the path along Stourbridge Common. Routes a) and b) converge at Water Street. None of these routes are wide enough to accommodate this number of road users including cyclists, nor is there any spare space to widen their pinch points. The new influx of cyclists using Water Street will be travelling either on the pavement shared with pedestrians, where space to pass is already tight, or on the road shared with fast-moving traffic. As far as I can see, the only way to safely accommodate the extra cycle journeys along this conduit into the city centre is to remove some of the motor traffic by closing or restricting the level-crossing and connecting Chesterton Fen to Milton Road with a new road bridge across the railway line alongside the proposed pedestrian & cycle bridge. 2) Moss Bank - Fen Road junction For most of the new cycle journeys between NE Cambridge and central Cambridge, the new bridge over the railway line to the Haling Way will be very much the long way round. In most cases the obvious route will be past Cambridge North and along Moss Bank. This is going to create thousands of extra cycle movements through the Moss Bank - Fen Road junction. The current level crossing adjecent to this has a blind-summit where approaching vehicles can't see pedestrians or cyclists crossing the street until very close - if travelling at speed there would be very little time to react to someone in the middle of the road crossing towards or from Moss Bank. To safely accommodate the extra cycle traffic, a formal pedestrian and cycle crossing should be installed. But I don't think that can safely be done if it means that road traffic approaching from Chesterton Fen ends up queuing over the level-crossing. Hence, the only safe solution again appears to be to close the level-crossing and redirect that road traffic out over a new bridge over the railway line.

Mostly not

I welcome the fact that the new area is being designed around walking and cycling. However, we share the concerns raised by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign around the ability of the planning service to ensure consistent quality of routes and facilities across a site which encompasses several different landowners and developers. The use of phrases such as ‘where possible’ in describing the planned cycling provision provides loopholes which means vital elements such as adequate cycle parking and priority for active travel modes on streets and roads may not be delivered. I also have concerns about how journeys will link up with the wider area. Providing connections to existing routes is a vital step but not sufficient in itself. Many pedestrian paths and cycle paths/lanes around the city, but particularly on Milton Road are in poor repair, badly designed and fundamentally inadequate, even at current levels of use. With particular importance to this development, the cycling provision down Milton Road into the city centre needs to be redesigned and improved as it is currently inadequate and unsafe. Immediate action to reduce traffic levels in the north of the city is needed to enable high levels of walking and cycling before, during, and after development. Cycling provision must be dramatically improved to provide a better mode of transport into and around the city, as set out by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign https://www.camcycle.org.uk/cycling2020/

Not at all

No answer given

Mostly not

I'm concerned about the amount of underpasses suggested. From experience they don't feel very safe and end up being grafitied and collecting litter. I would be in preference of overpasses or level crossings.

Mostly not

I'm concerned about the amount of underpasses suggested. From experience they don't feel very safe and end up being grafitied and collecting litter. I would be in preference of overpasses or level crossings.

Mostly not

I welcome the fact that the new area is being designed around walking and cycling. However, we share the concerns raised by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign around the ability of the planning service to ensure consistent quality of routes and facilities across a site which encompasses several different landowners and developers. The use of phrases such as ‘where possible’ in describing the planned cycling provision provides loopholes which means vital elements such as adequate cycle parking and priority for active travel modes on streets and roads may not be delivered. I also have concerns about how journeys will link up with the wider area. Providing connections to existing routes is a vital step but not sufficient in itself. Many pedestrian paths and cycle paths/lanes around the city, but particularly on Milton Road are in poor repair, badly designed and fundamentally inadequate, even at current levels of use. With particular importance to this development, the cycling provision down Milton Road into the city centre needs to be redesigned and improved as it is currently inadequate and unsafe. Immediate action to reduce traffic levels in the north of the city is needed to enable high levels of walking and cycling before, during, and after development. Cycling provision must be dramatically improved to provide a better mode of transport into and around the city, as set out by the Cambridge Cycling Campaign https://www.camcycle.org.uk/cycling2020/

Not at all

as per Q1. Cycle routes need to be further expanded towards the city especially Fen road is not fit for purpose, not wide enough due to roadside reisident parking, and not safe enough due to heavy duty lorries servicing the industry accross the railway line. It is currently dangerous for cyclists. walking seems good but being so proximal to the M14 seems pointless

Neutral

Towpath etc will be overwhelmed, and the routes across Cambridge are inadequate Developing the new district around key walking and cycling routes and removing barriers on the routes to nearby areas is very important and all the links marked on the map must be included. However, more improvements will be needed to make cycling and walking safe and convenient for all ages and abilities across North Cambridge and to make sure each route is suitable for the number of people that will be using it.

Not at all

For the disgracefully large scale and density of the urban jungle proposed, there is no evidence that the surrounding areas will be able to cope with the influx from this over-sized development. This will render any aims to connect with the surrounding areas valueless.

Mostly not

It's all very well to suppose that everyone will walk or cycle to work all the time but this is completely unrealistic. It might work in the summer but in winter people will find cycling very much less attractive in the cold and wet weather.

Mostly yes

I think it looks great for the amount of thought that has gone into planning strategic cycle routes, including removing barriers and putting in extra crossings. I would like it to go even further to make sure cycle routes are suitable for cyclists with disabilities and of all abilities. I would also like to see the cycle routes better connected into Arbury and Kings Hedges.

Mostly yes

No answer given

Mostly yes

Have you considered the likely increasing use of e-bikes and scooters? Perhaps there could be some segregated lanes for the faster (silently) moving traffic?

Mostly yes

Developing the new district around key walking and cycling routes and removing barriers on the routes to nearby areas is very important and all the links marked on the map must be included. However, more improvements will be needed to make cycling and walking safe and convenient for all ages and abilities across North Cambridge and to make sure each route is suitable for the number of people that will be using it. I agree with Cam Cycle's views on these points.

Neutral

Item 3 underpass under A14 and item 6 new crossing on Milton Road: underpasses encourage antisocial behaviour and become no-go zones. It is unrealistic to suggest there will no additional vehicle movements on Milton Road and Kings Hedges Road. increase to traffic with the increase in both commercial, industrial, and residential uses. With 8000 new homes with 0.5 parking space each will create an additional 4000 vehicles. A socially mixed demographic will require a mixture of modes of transport. In the future people will want to use green electric autonomous personal vehicles, not buses and trains. This plan does not consider this direction.

Mostly yes

Breaking down the barriers to cycling and walking into the area is extremely important, so we strongly support new crossings of the guided busway and Milton Road and links to Milton village and the river. We also support the new area being developed around key walking and cycling routes which link up destinations within the site (such as the new local centres) and outside it (such as the direct traffic-free route between Nuffield Road and Milton Country Park). However, there are some urgent issues on the boundaries of the site which will need addressing to ensure walking and cycling are safe and convenient for all ages and abilities and that problems with excessive levels of motor traffic do not cause issues either inside or outside the new area. Existing schemes such as the Chisholm Trail, Milton Road and Waterbeach Greenway are unlikely to be sufficient for the volume of journeys generated by a new area where 75% of journeys are anticipated to be by foot, cycle or public transport. Immediate action to reduce traffic levels in the north of the city is needed to meet and exceed the plan’s trip budgets for motor vehicles and to enable high levels of walking and cycling before, during, and after development. This must include alternative road access out from Chesterton Fen (perhaps in the location already specified for a foot/cycle bridge over the railway), improvements to the Jane Coston bridge as well as the streets approaching it, improvements and regular maintenance of the Halingway towpath and improvements to the road junction and active travel routes around Cambridge Regional College.

Mostly yes

It is good to see a bridge over the railway (feature 5) to Chesterton Fen, confirming that bridge building is an allowable solution. However, looking just beyond the boundary of the site we have the all important river bridge carrying the Chisholm Trail cycle route. This is will carry considerable commuter cycle traffic a proportion of which will choose the shorter route on Moss Bank to access the station and other parts of NEC. This will involve cyclists crossing Fen Road near the railway level crossing where vehicular traffic is either stationary, if the crossing is closed, or racing because it is open. The 20mph speed limit is simply ignored by frustrated drivers. Consequently this will be a very dangerous pinch point. The solution which has been demanded by residents and Councillors of East Chesterton is to close the level crossing and build a road bridge between NEC and the Chesterton Fen. This would demonstrate integration with the neighbouring community of Chesterton Fen.

Mostly yes

As I understand it, the area of Fen Road north of the railway tracks is a no-go area for those that don't live there. I'm no urban planner but it would seem sensible to try to use this plan to integrate, dilute or change that area, with links in and out being key. Otherwise the links look very good.

Mostly yes

We would like to comment on the proposed connection to Milton Country Park. Under the current access model for the Country Park there are no public rights of way through the facility and access is permissive. This is important for operational reasons as there are a number of occasions each year where we must have the ability to close the park to the public. This can be for special events in part or the whole of the park and also for weather related safety reasons. We are very much supportive of there being a physical connection between North East Cambridge and Milton Country Park but would like to be consulted on and involved with the detailed design of how the connection can best me made to also work alongside the proposed Cambridge Country Park and Sport Lakes.

Mostly yes

The new crossings of the guided busway, Milton Road and links to Milton village and the river are a good idea. I support building up plans starting with key walking and cycling routes. However, there are issues on the boundaries of the site that need addressing. Existing and soon-to-be built infrastructure in adjacent areas will not support the expected volume of foot and cycle traffic. Action to reduce motor vehicle use in the north of the city is needed now to enable walking and cycling by users of this development.

Not at all

If the sewage works are relocated at Site 1 or 2 then Mere Way will be severed or at least rendered an extremely unattractive prospect. Mere Way is supposed to be the cycle route from Waterbeach New Town, as well as existing villages. There needs to be coherent planning for the relocation project, taking into account other projects.

Mostly not

No. Again it is very difficult to see how policy of discouraging cars can be monitored and projected into the future. The already high traffic levels in the north of the city are likely only to be increased by this development, even with the provision and design around walking and cycling.

Mostly not

More connection to the countryside and to urban space needed. Where are people in these dwellings going to keep their bikes? How will cycling and pedestrians mix?

Mostly yes

Both high quality routes inside the development and improving crossings over Milton Road and past the A14 are vital, and it must be ensured these have sufficient capacity for this significant new development