Chapter 6 Planning policies - Transport policies

I wish to comment on behalf of the Waterbeach Charity (registered Charity No 311348) regarding Policy WT2.

The Waterbeach Charity Trustees supports the concept of a Pedestrian/ Cycle route as outlined in policy WT2.
It does however wish to point out that the buying of private land to achieve this aim would make the project very expensive.
The land within the existing railway boundaries should be the first option.
The buying of Charity land, private gardens, grazing land and agricultural land would no doubt involve compulsory purchase and could make the concept unachievable.
The Charity would have no objections to the use of railway land alongside the railway for the purpose of a cycle way.

I wish to put forward a number of comments concerning the above mentioned plan. It is my hope that these comments go forward to the committee.

1) As a resident of this village and a member of this vibrant, friendly community, I wish to highly recommend this accurate and forward thinking view and plan for our village.

Sadly for nearly the last decade, we have felt that we are the forgotten and ignored community.
WPC and the residents of Waterbeach, plus tens of thousands of surrounding local village residents have fought hard to try to contain this over development. Unbelievably there are still NO plans for any infrastructure.

2) Road safety.
What steps will be taken to stop an ever increasing RatRun from the A14 via Horningsea Road speeding into Waterbeach to join the A10 and inevitably this New Town massive development. Traffic in all areas around the A10 will double with this overpopulation.
The Neighbourhood Plan - Restrict traffic in Cody Road to village residents only.
The Neighbourhood Plan -No New Town Traffic entering Waterbeach through Cody Road.

We wish to see a 20 mph speed limit in our village, particularly in the High Street. One way traffic on Greenside ( by White Horse pub) to help make the heart of our village safer from speeding inconsiderate non-resident drivers.
Time limited parking in layby, by pharmacy and post office.

Double yellow lines (safety barriers ) around all junctions in the Preservation Area of the village , especially where there is now inconsiderate and dangerous parking in that area. Many residents have no clear driving view right or left on leaving their street or lane and entering this area because of dangerous parking on both sides of the High Street. It is especially dangerous for pedestrians to cross a very narrow road with cars parked on both sides of the green

The Milton roundabout is still not finished. The merging of traffic from the A14 on an incredible short merging lane, will develop into an accident black spot! Constant lorries exiting A14 will ignore or not see traffic exiting the roundabout, via green traffic lights.
We hear that there are now plans for a new police headquarters to be built next to the Milton park&ride, so we will have to deal with bluelight traffic constantly using this dangerous road.
It is now time for a direct plan to be made and secured for a Bypass from Milton to Ely.

3) Environment. Car Dyke Roman Canal

The importance of preserving this Ancient Monument. This area has huge importance to our village and community, that is why it it is top of the list for preservation on the Neighbourhood plan.

It is a conservation area, an incredible Fenland landscape, massive horizons and a unique place of peace and reflection.
It's ancient hedgerow has a complete biodiversity to protect. Such a diverse numbers of birds , butterfly and insects.
During lockdown this area next to the recreation ground has been a focal part of the village, it has always been a wonderful place for walkers, especially dog walkers and for horse riding. It is a wonderful bridleway. But more important during these difficult times it has brought a special quietness and mental well being to all different age groups, toddlers up to senior citizens. All within walking distance of the village centre. This last part of our south wild fen that must be preserved for children and greatgrandchildren. Once it goes its gone forever.

At one time this area was considered to be one of many crazy areas put forward as part of a Greenway cycling lane for the New Town.

Thousands of cyclists, e scooters etc. using this area as a thoroughfare is totally abhorrent and destructive to this important environment and heritage site.
Waterbeach overwhelmingly voted to have the area adjacent to the railway line as the new Greenway. Council land I believe, flood plain When, if ever there is an upgrade to the A10 there should be a dedicated cycle lane separated from traffic.
Crossing Car Dyke road junction with pedestrian/ traffic lights replicating Denny End/A10 lights for pedestrians and traffic filter lane At the same time slowing speeding A10 traffic and stopping horrendous traffic accidents that still continue too happen on this dangerous poorly marked road . The traffic will actually come to a stop, with the filter lane safely seeing traffic crossing to the opposite lane to head towards Ely.
We have learnt the hard lessons ,about safety since Butt Lane and Denny End have gained multiple traffic lights the roads have become much safer. It is now the turn of Car Dyke road junction that desperately needs upgrading.

Roundabouts they just not up to the job, cars speed and at busy times they block the roundabout so nothing is moving. You see it in Cambridge eveyday.I

Cycles from Milton cycle way will safely enter the village near the Slap Up Pub pathway or onwards to Denny End.

That way we would have 2 safe cycle ways, with the added bonus of reducing the number of cycles on the tow path and improving the environment by the river.

May I also suggest that at these times the area of walkway for residents through Cody Way to New Town , has plenty of attractive natural looking bench's for tired family's but especially pensioners To sit and chat.



4)Travel
We need a secure New Station bus shuttle for residents who usually walk to our own train station for work and pleasure. We are informed that there is now not going to be a multi car park for the new station, so I take it our village roads will be used as a free car park for passengers. Especially Bannold Road.
RLW were given planning permission for this development because they Bragged that they would totally fund the New station out of their combined huge profits. Now we are informed that this is not happening and now we, the council tax payers are funding this unwanted station. Is this Tory government aware of these changes. We take it that is why no plans for a upgrade or bypass far the A10 or Waterbeach is even forseen in the future.

We have a perfect upgraded station in our village at Station Road, even full crossing barriers, to be updated.
Any sensible owner of that line would keep it open and maintained, in case of emergency ( sadly many have happened on this line exactly where the new station is planned ) passengers having to leave the train many times each year at Waterbeach and catch buses to further their journey +. Emergency services attending victims Thousands of villagers would still like to have a limited off peak service, perhaps twice a day or weekly and a limited weekend timetable from out convenient station. Otherwise many will no longer use either stations, instead traveling by car, bus, or use the much quicker Milton Park&Ride ( cheaper)

Where all the residents of this New Town are going to park all their many cars is a complete mystery to us , we are told (No plans are ever displayed) that no garage or parking is allowed next to their homes. Because everyone will be walking & cycling everywhere, whatever the weather. So one can imagine vast car parks dotted around this development, probably overlooking our village.

Thank you for reading this and passing on to committee.

I wish to put forward a number of comments concerning the above mentioned plan. It is my hope that these comments go forward to the committee.

1) As a resident of this village and a member of this vibrant, friendly community, I wish to highly recommend this accurate and forward thinking view and plan for our village.

Sadly for nearly the last decade, we have felt that we are the forgotten and ignored community.
WPC and the residents of Waterbeach, plus tens of thousands of surrounding local village residents have fought hard to try to contain this over development. Unbelievably there are still NO plans for any infrastructure.

2) Road safety.
What steps will be taken to stop an ever increasing RatRun from the A14 via Horningsea Road speeding into Waterbeach to join the A10 and inevitably this New Town massive development. Traffic in all areas around the A10 will double with this overpopulation.
The Neighbourhood Plan - Restrict traffic in Cody Road to village residents only.
The Neighbourhood Plan -No New Town Traffic entering Waterbeach through Cody Road.

We wish to see a 20 mph speed limit in our village, particularly in the High Street. One way traffic on Greenside ( by White Horse pub) to help make the heart of our village safer from speeding inconsiderate non-resident drivers.
Time limited parking in layby, by pharmacy and post office.

Double yellow lines (safety barriers ) around all junctions in the Preservation Area of the village , especially where there is now inconsiderate and dangerous parking in that area. Many residents have no clear driving view right or left on leaving their street or lane and entering this area because of dangerous parking on both sides of the High Street. It is especially dangerous for pedestrians to cross a very narrow road with cars parked on both sides of the green

The Milton roundabout is still not finished. The merging of traffic from the A14 on an incredible short merging lane, will develop into an accident black spot! Constant lorries exiting A14 will ignore or not see traffic exiting the roundabout, via green traffic lights.
We hear that there are now plans for a new police headquarters to be built next to the Milton park&ride, so we will have to deal with bluelight traffic constantly using this dangerous road.
It is now time for a direct plan to be made and secured for a Bypass from Milton to Ely.

3) Environment. Car Dyke Roman Canal

The importance of preserving this Ancient Monument. This area has huge importance to our village and community, that is why it it is top of the list for preservation on the Neighbourhood plan.

It is a conservation area, an incredible Fenland landscape, massive horizons and a unique place of peace and reflection.
It's ancient hedgerow has a complete biodiversity to protect. Such a diverse numbers of birds , butterfly and insects.
During lockdown this area next to the recreation ground has been a focal part of the village, it has always been a wonderful place for walkers, especially dog walkers and for horse riding. It is a wonderful bridleway. But more important during these difficult times it has brought a special quietness and mental well being to all different age groups, toddlers up to senior citizens. All within walking distance of the village centre. This last part of our south wild fen that must be preserved for children and greatgrandchildren. Once it goes its gone forever.

At one time this area was considered to be one of many crazy areas put forward as part of a Greenway cycling lane for the New Town.

Thousands of cyclists, e scooters etc. using this area as a thoroughfare is totally abhorrent and destructive to this important environment and heritage site.
Waterbeach overwhelmingly voted to have the area adjacent to the railway line as the new Greenway. Council land I believe, flood plain When, if ever there is an upgrade to the A10 there should be a dedicated cycle lane separated from traffic.
Crossing Car Dyke road junction with pedestrian/ traffic lights replicating Denny End/A10 lights for pedestrians and traffic filter lane At the same time slowing speeding A10 traffic and stopping horrendous traffic accidents that still continue too happen on this dangerous poorly marked road . The traffic will actually come to a stop, with the filter lane safely seeing traffic crossing to the opposite lane to head towards Ely.
We have learnt the hard lessons ,about safety since Butt Lane and Denny End have gained multiple traffic lights the roads have become much safer. It is now the turn of Car Dyke road junction that desperately needs upgrading.

Roundabouts they just not up to the job, cars speed and at busy times they block the roundabout so nothing is moving. You see it in Cambridge eveyday.I

Cycles from Milton cycle way will safely enter the village near the Slap Up Pub pathway or onwards to Denny End.

That way we would have 2 safe cycle ways, with the added bonus of reducing the number of cycles on the tow path and improving the environment by the river.

May I also suggest that at these times the area of walkway for residents through Cody Way to New Town , has plenty of attractive natural looking bench's for tired family's but especially pensioners To sit and chat.



4)Travel
We need a secure New Station bus shuttle for residents who usually walk to our own train station for work and pleasure. We are informed that there is now not going to be a multi car park for the new station, so I take it our village roads will be used as a free car park for passengers. Especially Bannold Road.
RLW were given planning permission for this development because they Bragged that they would totally fund the New station out of their combined huge profits. Now we are informed that this is not happening and now we, the council tax payers are funding this unwanted station. Is this Tory government aware of these changes. We take it that is why no plans for a upgrade or bypass far the A10 or Waterbeach is even forseen in the future.

We have a perfect upgraded station in our village at Station Road, even full crossing barriers, to be updated.
Any sensible owner of that line would keep it open and maintained, in case of emergency ( sadly many have happened on this line exactly where the new station is planned ) passengers having to leave the train many times each year at Waterbeach and catch buses to further their journey +. Emergency services attending victims Thousands of villagers would still like to have a limited off peak service, perhaps twice a day or weekly and a limited weekend timetable from out convenient station. Otherwise many will no longer use either stations, instead traveling by car, bus, or use the much quicker Milton Park&Ride ( cheaper)

Where all the residents of this New Town are going to park all their many cars is a complete mystery to us , we are told (No plans are ever displayed) that no garage or parking is allowed next to their homes. Because everyone will be walking & cycling everywhere, whatever the weather. So one can imagine vast car parks dotted around this development, probably overlooking our village.

Thank you for reading this and passing on to committee.