Question 17: Should we explore delivery of a cycling and pedestrian bridge over the railway line to link into the River Cam towpath?

No we have enough cyclists in that area as it is

Yes - see before. Investment into a much larger walking/cycling infrastructure is needed.

A new bridge should be built and it should include a road.

At the moment the Fen Road level-crossing is sometimes closed for 20 minutes continuously. This prevents emergency services from reaching a critical incident leading to potential loss of life. This imposes a serious negative discrimination against the communities at the north end of Fen Road. A new road bridge is required if the council is to meet its equalities responsibility to this community.

Furthermore, a road bridge will improve access for this community to the new services and facilities, and deliver employment opportunities to this deprived area.

A road bridge (with pedestrian and cycle lanes) should be built.

Level crossings are dangerous and should be closed wherever possible. The areas of Fen Road to the north of the current crossing are cut off for long periods, reducing access and safety. Fen Rd and Chesterton receive surges of traffic due to the long closures of the crossing, much of that traffic is heavy vehicles accessing the industrial areas north of the crossing. The regeneration and development of the facilities around the station should be accessible to as many as possible, including those north of the current crossing.

A new bridge should be built and it should include a road.

At the moment the Fen Road level-crossing is sometimes closed for 20 minutes continuously. This prevents emergency services from reaching a critical incident leading to potential loss of life. This imposes a serious negative discrimination against the communities at the north end of Fen Road. A new road bridge is required if the council is to meet its equalities responsibility to this community.

Furthermore, a road bridge will improve access local community and businesses, provide new services and facilities, and deliver employment opportunities to this deprived area.

A new bridge would be good, but it should clearly include a road crossing. That could much reduce (dangerous) traffic on Fen Road and Water Street, because one could then close the level crossing. The current level crossing is often closed for trains to pass for 15-20 minutes at a stretch, which frustrates drivers, is problematic for emergency service vehicles etc. (I'm not a driver, I'm a cyclist, and I notice the impatience on the part of other road users as they come down Fen Road.)

Building a Road bridge across the railway (with designated cycle and pedestrian access) and closing the Fen Road level crossing or creating a commercial vehicle restriction on it, is a much safer and environmentally friendly long term solution!

Although I am in favor of the principles in the current proposal, I would much prefer to see an access bridge that included a road crossing. I am therefore opposed to the current proposal because of my concern that a cycle and footbridge would take up space and funding that could be alocated to a vehicle crossing is possible. In the long term, I would like to see the level crossing closed or replaced with a road underpass or with commerciallarger vehecle restriction .

Cycle and pedestrian safety:

I live on Fen Road and, along with all the other residents in East Chesterton, we experience high volumes of commercial traffic accessing the industrial estate which is currently locked between the river and the railway. Although some of this traffic is destined for central Cambridge, a journey that would not be vastly extended via Cowley Road, much of it is destined for the A14 and alternative routes or could be diverted away from the city centre by opening up an access road from Fen road to the North East over the railway line.

Fen Road has always been a dangerous place for pedestrians and cyclists. In my sixteen years living here, I have been knocked off my bicycle twice and run off the road on several other occasions. As a pedestrian, I have had multiple narrow escapes as light goods vehicles and transits have mounted the pavement. Several years ago my parked car was nearly written off by a lorry trying to pass oncoming traffic on the narrow road, recently two bags of cement fell off a truck and rendered my car worthless, on a separate incident my neighbor's wall was destroyed by another loose load falling off a trailer. These events have luckily only ended in damage to property, but each time a cyclist or pedestrian could have been killed. My son, my partner and nearly all of my neighbours cycle as our primary form of transport. A cyclist was seriously injured in 2018 not far from my home. With the current road formation, it is only a matter of time before someone is killed!

Since the opening of the station at Cambridge North, and the extension of the guided busway cycle path and new cycleway along the side of Cowley Road, Fen Road has seen far greater use by pedestrians and cyclists. Although this is very welcome, these people all now face the same currently dangerous stretch of road, with very limited protection from the traffic. The numbers will only grow if a bridge is opened. I believe that to take measure that will increase cycle and pedestrian numbers on this stretch of road, without a strategy to prioritize them or minimize motor and commercial traffic, is irresponsible.

Structural and environmental damage:

The commercial vehicles that use Fen Road cause my house to shake as they pass over the speed cushions and I am sure these are responsible for cracks in the brickwork. The drains in the road are damaged and in heavy weather back up to flood my neighbor opposite home - the large lorries on a narrow residential street cannot help this situation. I am in favor of the local plan and its stated strategy to create green corridors into Cambridge. I believe that the route along Fen Road is vital for opening up access to Stourbridge common and the towpath for sustainable use by the rapidly growing population in the North East of the city. At the moment the volume of traffic, and specifically commercial traffic, creates sound and air pollution as well as jeopardizes the contamination of the river cam. the level crossing means that traffic often comes in heavy waves and increases all of the above risks.

Yes. As much cycle permeability as possible is essential to stop people getting into their cars when they want to go somewhere.

A new road bridge should be built, across to the Sewage Farm site and Milton Road, allowing the Fen Road level-crossing to be closed.

The level-crossing is sometimes closed for 20
minutes continuously, preventing emergency service access leading to potential loss of life. This imposes a negative discrimination against the communities at the north end of Fen Road. A new road bridge is required if the council is to meet its
equalities responsibility to this community.

Furthermore, a road bridge will improve access for this community to the
new services and facilities, and deliver employment opportunities to
this deprived area.

Yes, I support this. Seems obvious.

Yes, and bridge must be suitable for equestrian access.

A new road bridge should be built, for motor transport, bikes and pedestrians. This removes the current difficulty of the railway crossing being closed for up to 20 minutes at a time giving no access in or out for people of the Chesterton Fen area. This cannot continue...what if a resident beyond the level crossing had a fire or needed an emergency ambulance? Creating a road bridge over the railway line gives alternative access, and will also relieve Fen Road of much heavy traffic for which it was not designed and which causes many hazards to pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge mentioned in point 6.25 should include road access to the North end of Fen Road to give residents of that area a viable way to access their homes, (and give emergency services access) when the level crossing is closed as it so often is. This would reduce the heavy traffic on Fen Road, making this residential area safer for children and the elderly, also the disabled residents of the NHS Residential home at 71 Fen Road.

Yes, for the reasons set out in our responses to other questions about the need to include the river corridor within the AAP

There is a very strong need for a bridge over the railway line, and this should be a road, cycle and pedestrian bridge. The land after Cambridge north station is currently only accessible by Fen Road with the need to cross a level crossing. This is not a feasible option going forwards and will significantly limit the possible number of trains going through Cambridge North station, and hence the overall development of Cambridge North East.

Yes, or possibly a spacious underbridge (see IAN 195/16) providing grade separation under the railway, with plenty of light and air. An underbridge is not a subway, it is more like the railway is built on a bridge over a pathway.

There should also be connections on both sides of the railway to the Chisholm Trail around the area of the current Fen Road level crossing, especially once it is closed.

Furthermore there should be a river crossing for walking and cycling in the vicinity of the A14 bridge, probably adjacent to it to avoid impacts elsewhere.

A new bridge should be built and it should include a road. This should connect from the area served by the level crossing to Milton Road.

At the moment the Fen Road level-crossing is sometimes closed for 20 minutes continuously. This prevents emergency services from reaching a critical incident leading to potential loss of life. This imposes a serious negative discrimination against the communities at the north end of Fen Road. A new road bridge is required if the council is to meet its equalities responsibility to this community.

Furthermore, a road bridge will improve access for this community to the new services and facilities, and deliver employment opportunities to this deprived area.

Rather than linking to the towpath, it needs to connect to proper roads and to the Waterbeach Greenway.

I think this is important to increase permeability and provide the new community with easy access to the river, an excellent amenity for recreation. The river is of secondary importance as a transport corridor as the current provision is inappropriate for high foot or cycle traffic volume (too narrow, poor path surface). The proposed Waterbeach greenway would be more important in this respect.

I think the proposal should also consider a road link over the railway. Fen road is currently a major bottleneck and impeded by a busy railway crossing. A road link to Milton road would provide the industrial and residential road users east of the railway with convenient access to the A14 potentially relieving traffic on Fen road and Green End Road / Chesterton. I don't think this need necessarily involve closing the crossing as some have proposed. Providing an alternate route should serve to reduce traffic and frustration caused by the crossing without risking isolating communities from existing services in Chesterton.

Yes.

This is one of the oddest ideas in the consultation. There is an existing link to the tow path by the railway bridge, along Moss bank. If you build a new foot and cycle bridge over the river it will not be used because it would pass through the traveller and gypsy camp area and people will feel threatened using it. You've got to include improving and developing the area to the east of the railway within your plans, to produce an inclusive community which benefits people on both sides of the railway.

Would be far more interested in reducing the number of commercial vehicles using Fen Road, Water Lane and Green End Road to leave the area as this has been problematic for some time. If a vehicle bridge could be added to connect that area more directly with Cowley Road it would significantly improve the Fen Road area.

Yes, I think this is important to improve links out to surrounding communities and the Chisholm Trail. However, I think a road bridge should also be included to improve access to and from the communities east of the rail line and enable the Fen Road level crossing to be closed. With increased numbers of trains coming through, this link is becoming more and more unviable.

There should be a vehicle bridge across the railway to provide better road access for residents and businesses east of the railway. Pedestrian and cycle access to the river is already provided via the railway station.

A cycle bridge crossing the railway line is an inadequate contribution to connectivity between NEC and the adjoining communities. The Chesterton Fen area is an established mixed use quarter which is very poorly served by Fen Road with its busy and dangerous level crossing.

A bridge over the railway line should have capacity for all vehicles to flow freely avoiding the long delays to traffic caused by lengthy closures of the crossing. Elimination of the level crossing would allow the Chisholm Trail to pass under the railway at this point creating a safe bicycle access to Moss Bank and NEC.

A new bridge should be built and it should include a road. This would ease the traffic problems experienced along Fen Road, which is unsuitable for the high volumes of industrial traffic using the road. There is also a serious problem with dangerous and antisocial driving along the road which may in part be due to excessive wait times at the level crossing - it is sometimes closed for 20 minutes continuously.

Also, a road bridge will improve access for people living north-east of the level crossing to access the new services and facilities and access the A14 more quickly.

As already mentioned, we are pleased to be working with colleagues at SCDC and the City Council to help provide further transport evidence to support the AAP and we will be considering a range of possibilities in the very near future. Future plans for the rail network need to be better understood to inform the suitability of alternative provision for crossing the railway line. Therefore, at this stage no options should be ruled out and indeed we may wish to see further connections included as the work continues.

I support the plan for a bridge over the railway to link the Cowley Road area directly with the Fen Road area northeast of the level crossing. This would connect the Fen Road communities directly with the new facilites planned for the development area. However, I favour a road bridge rather than merely a cycle and pedestrian bridge. Such a bridge would allow the considerable volume of light industrial and commercial traffic from the Fen Road area to exit on a safe link to Milton Road. At present this traffic is funnelled over the level crossing then along the inappropriate residential stretch of Fen Road southwest of the crossing. From there it still has to use either Chesterton High Street or Green End Road before reaching a main road.
Coinciding with an increasing volume of this industrial traffic is the substantial increase in cycle and pedestrian traffic to and from Cambridge North Station. The mix of these vulnerable road users with vans and truck, most of which are exceeding the 20 mph speed limit, is dangerous. It is only a matter of time before this mix leads to even more serious accidents than those that have already happened.
At very least, any new cycle/pedestrian brifge over the railway should not be sited so as to interfere with a future alignment of a road bridge.

A new bridge should be built and it should include a road.

At the moment the Fen Road level-crossing is sometimes closed for 20 minutes continuously. This prevents emergency services from reaching a critical incident leading to potential loss of life. This imposes a serious negative discrimination against the communities at the north end of Fen Road. A new road bridge is required if the council is to meet its equalities responsibility to this community.

Furthermore, a road bridge will improve access for this community to the new services and facilities, and deliver employment opportunities to this deprived area.

Addition of this road connection will additionally allow permanent closure of the level crossing. This is in line with Network Rail's policies to improve railway safety. Reduction of through traffic on Fen Road West of the level crossing would be a great benefit to the proposed Chisholm Trail walking and cycling route in this area.

Yes, at the very least a pedestrian and cycle bridge should be included. BUT a bigger issue is vehicular access to Fen Road. The dead end is unhelpful in so many ways. Please consider using this development as an opportunity to add in a way of getting motor vehicles from Fen Road to Milton Road.