To Whom it may Concern,
I am writing to provide comment on the proposed plans for the development of the Ridgeons site on Cromwell Road Cambridge. The first point I would like to make is that the level of consultation with the community in Romsey and Cromwell Road in particular has been poor. The plan proposed does not even show lip service to points raised when the local plan was being developed. The public meetings were few and not advertised appropriately or arranged at convenient times.
School Provision
As repeatedly flagged during the development of this brief there is a huge shortage of Primary School places in Romsey, this site represents one of the last remaining opportunities to site a school in a safe residential area away from main roads, the provision of the rail crossing would allow this school to service both Romsey and Petersfield. My house is immediately opposite the proposed development and although in the catchment for St Philips school we are too far away from the school to get a place. St Matthews School is oversubscribed in catchment. This means that as for current residents any new families moving into the proposed development will have to DRIVE past the closest schools to take their children to a school at the other side of town. The plan does not provide for a new school or any facilities to get children to school by any means other than driving (it is too far for a four year old to cycle) and there is no provision for driving or parking.
Open Space
The layout for the open space as it currently is depicted was flagged as being inappropriate to achieve its objective as being 'usable' open space during one of the scoping meetings. The linear nature of the space and it being bounded on all 3/4 sides by roads means that it will not provide a safe space for children to play. It is clear that its design is to enable taller development by offsetting the developments through this space.
Road design
There is an opportunity here to make a dedicated route for cycling. The proposal for the Chisholm Trail to run down a busy cut through (one of the few roads that runs east/west across the city) is simply a recipe for accidents. Cromwell Road is already a very dangerous place to cycle, particularly at either end where the road bends round and you can't see what is coming. More traffic combined with the Chisholm Trail chucking cyclists on to a busy road is foolish at best. The site could link to quiet roads through the existing developments and link to a new bridge to make the Chisholm Trail a real option for cyclists. As it is the Chisholm Trail will be nothing more than a press release for the council, it will not be a safe route to cycle.
Medical Practice and Early years Facility
There is demonstrable need for these services in the community. The early years provision in Romesy is only suitable for families with one "at home" parent. For Parents that work there is no nursery facilities in Romsey.
Road Network
There are inconsistencies in the document to how roads are depicted - or whether they are depicted at all. Page 79 of the document and figure 127 depict a road that is running North South behind the main block of flats. This is not illustrated elsewhere in the document and it is difficult to understand how this works with the street network as currently shown on Figure 123 Access and Movement
Development within the entry way to the site will create a 'over developed' feel to Cromwell Road, and will dangerously limit access onto and off the site by creating 2 tight 90o turnings given the fact that these are proposed for vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist access this presents a danger to the road users.
Cycle bridge
At no point during the development of the brief has due consideration been given to the creation of a new and safe cycle crossing for the rail way line - either over or under the tracks. We do not believe that this 'scoping work' has attempted to identify or assess all the opportunities. Stating that there is currently not the funding to undertake this project is an extension of the lack of future planning that has enabled piece-meal development of Cromwell Road to date. The rush to spend 'City Deal' money in the last year is evidence enough that this project could be undertaken at a later date for the benefit of both residents within the city and those who commute by bicycle in. Space needs to be left so that this opportunity can be realised in the future to enable the creation of a more sustainable city.
Parking
The document depicts lots of 'on street' parking justified it seems on the basis of this being the standard across much of Romsey. Given much of this road network is forming part of the Chisholm Trail the assumption should be against this; keeping the roads clear for safe passage on bike and by foot. Better design and planning for the provision of parked cars (such as that seen in Accordia development) should be included within this brief. Parking is already at a premium in Romesy and is getting increasingly challenging on Cromwell Road. Parking need much more thought. People will have cars and the life style that the council is forcing us to live demands that a car is necessary. I do not want to drive my children to school but the lack of a local school means this is necessary (a bus up Mill Road into town to change buses to go back out again is not a realistic commute for any parent that has to get to work in the morning nor should it be expected of our children).

In conclusion this plan is short sited and unless action is take now it will be a missed opportunity to leave a really positive legacy for the city.
Yours sincerely
Catriona Crombie