This response is from an individual. I have been a resident for the last two years in one of the new housing developments adjacent to Cody Road, Waterbeach. I am a retired Professor of Engineering, specialised on vehicle engineering.

I welcome the "Waterbeach New Town" proposals and in particular the possibility to create a substantial new living space in keeping with sustainability goals. The opportunity for using and extending best practice is an excellent one and must be seized. The timing of the project is at a time of significant change in transport and energy technologies. Car ownership is in decline, and this together with electric and autonomous vehicle technology is suggesting a less passenger-car-centred future.

My concerns about the SPD begin with the presentation and language which in places is rambling and vague. The use of the words "must", "will", "should" does not appear consistent. "Must" and "will" express certainty and obligation. The word "should" implies that the item described will not necessarily be implemented.

It is surprising that the SPD hardly cites existing good practice let alone extending into new aspects of community planning and management. There are examples of good practice coming from mainland Europe and we should be seeking to emulate and improve good practice. References to good practice need to be made, otherwise the proposals look ordinary and definitely not in keeping with an ambitious regional outlook. The Developers will undoubtedly benefit from a close association with the newest and best developments.

Section 2 - Site Context

Concerning cycling, Waterbeach currently offers very little. National Cycle route 11 should pass through Waterbeach, but there is a critical missing link between the river and the village of Lode. There is no cycle parking in the village and there are few cycle routes. The cycle route along the A10 towards Milton is narrow and dangerous. Cyclists going in opposite directions cannot easily pass. There is no safe route going northbound.

Section 3 - Vision

The notion of walking and cycling being given priority is welcome. It will encourage the shift to new modes particularly on the part of new residents. It is quite likely that new residents currently living in London will not own a car and will be drawn to a community in which cycling and walking are easy and safe.

Section 4 - Towards a Spatial Framework

On Page 40, there is reference to a small car park for use by Waterbeach residents wishing to visit the new town centre. There is no need for this. It will encourage car use in the village. Instead the proposed shuttle bus (included in the new station proposal) will serve the village and convey people to the new town centre.

On Page 41 there is reference to a "separate access" to the new station. This continuing use of the temporary Cody Road access is not necessary and any residual village road traffic to the railway station must be routed by the A10.

I observe Cody Road on a daily basis. At rush hour it is already busy with cars, cyclists and pedestrians. School times are particularly busy with groups walking to and from the local school and crossing at the Bannold Road/Cody Road junction. There is a decision already made concerning routing of local traffic to the new, relocated station. Given how busy the road is already, the long term intention to use Cody Road for station traffic and to serve an area of housing (page 61) is quite inappropriate and unnecessary. Road traffic from the village to the new station can and must be routed by the A10. Access to housing in the new community must be from the new community's transport network and not Cody Road.

The description of the primary network (Figure 18, page 45) carries contradictions. While the activity of the new town - shops and community facilities - are to be located on the primary routes these same routes are to carry traffic flows to and from a major junction in the middle of the town centre. The town centre will only function as such if the traffic is routed elsewhere and kept separate from the community facilities. Car traffic must be routed around the community on a "ring road" to the north. No homes or community facilities should be located on these "primary routes".

Air quality will suffer with the primary route stricture. A major junction in the centre of the town will lead to frequent stop-starts with consequent high particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions. There is no limit to be placed on the type of vehicles entering the town, so we will see a mixed population of diesel and petrol, old and new. Old diesel vehicles have an enormous power to pollute.

On pages 45-46 the notion of connecting communities implies walking and cycling route uninterrupted by vehicle flows. This important notion connects with the need to exclude rather than encourage traffic in these central areas.

I strongly support the idea of a vibrant and well connected town centre, but object strongly to the routing of traffic through this same centre. Alternative routing of traffic with no loss of journey times will be possible because of the greater average speed of cars taking longer and outer routes. Incidentally, the smoother operation along such outer routes greatly suits the operation of an internal combustion engine vehicle which will be both less polluting and more economical.

On page 48, two sites for a Park and Ride scheme are mentioned. The one to the North of the new community and one located close to the station. I support the Northern location. It will relieve the A10 to the south and encourage visitors to the new town, and act as a supplementary parking area for the station (assuming the park and ride also serves the station). There is no need for Park and Ride facilities at the station. The station will have its own car park and be served by buses. Another Park and Ride facility will simply encourage traffic flow through the community.

The Causeway link described on Page 57 is warmly welcomed. It alludes to the history of Waterbeach and creates a symbolic and actual link between Waterbeach village and the new community. Its plans must be defined so that pedestrians are prioritised and cyclists are guided down a separate cycle path.

Section 5 - Guiding Principles

P 82 "Active cycle and pedestrian routes and public transport should be provided at the earliest
opportunity ..." is too loose a statement for such an important aspect of the new community. Phrasing must be " .. must be provided in advance of the development of homes and community facilities..." in other words cycling and pedestrian routes must be in place from the beginning of the project.

P 83 "Active cycle and pedestrian routes and public transport should be provided at the earliest
opportunity ..." is also too loose. It must be re-phrased to " .. must be provided from the beginning of the project ..."

One aspect of good practice that must be included in this section is the principle of equivalent journey times. It should be no quicker to take a car journey than to walk or cycle within the area of the new community.

Traffic management within Waterbeach village needs to be improved in such a way that routing through the village is not considered an "easy" option for car drivers. Traffic calming, closure of Greenside to through traffic and in particular a 20mph speed limit should all be considered. In the longer term, restriction of Way Lane to pedestrians, cyclists and local traffic would make for a safer environment for the primary school and for those walking to the new community.


Section 6 - Delivering the place

Certain aspects of the Delivery plan needs to be better defined. In particular the link to Cottenham (p 119) must be in place at the beginning of the project. There is substantial traffic flow from Cottenham to both the A10 and to Waterbeach railway station. A reliable cycle route to the new town - thence to the Park and Ride and the railway station will considerably help displace road traffic.

It is vital that the A10 link road (p122) into the new community is available at the beginning of the project and is kept well separated from new housing and schools. This will meet the needs for traffic to the new railway station.