36.1 Vehicle access into and out of the CNFE Plan area remains a significant problem. Diversified land ownership, incremental changes and piecemeal highway works have created a situation whereby existing access to the area is limited, with a single main route - Cowley Road - in and out of Milton Road. The Councils have accepted that this creates a major constraint on further development, with heavy peak time congestion and associated environmental and economic consequences. To accommodate the significant new development proposals, a wholesale highway solution needs to be prepared. Provision of access is required for the benefit of the whole area at a level that circumvents the existing bottlenecks.

36.2 The most obvious point at which to concentrate major highway improvements is the interface between Cowley Road and Milton Road, close to the entrance of the Cambridge Business Park. Cowley Road will remain the main route to and from any new railway station, so it is clear that a significant new provision is required at this junction to cope with increased traffic levels. The current arrangements involve the whole area being accessed through a single stretch of road wedged between the St John's Innovation Park area and the Taylor Vinters building. If provision is not materially increased, existing problems will be exacerbated, dissuading landowners from looking at alternative uses and discouraging investors from bringing forward development proposals. A major new interchange is required for vehicle traffic, with the existing network of footpath and cycleways creating links to the surrounding area.