Policy 17: Connecting to the wider network
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 53292
Received: 02/10/2020
Respondent: Waterbeach and District Bridleways Group
The Waterbeach & District Bridleways group was formed in order to promote the communities’ needs with the proposed Greenways initiative and major developments in the local area, and to use that opportunity to expand access.
Our group members include equestrians from Horningsea, Waterbeach, Chittering, Landbeach, and Lode.
The group represents 150 riders from Waterbeach itself (including riders attending the village riding school Hall Farm Stables) and an additional c50 riders from the surrounding villages plus the College of West Anglia. It also represents some 200 horses owned by these riders and riding establishments. Roughly 50% of group members are British Horse Society members.
Goals for our advocacy
• To support equine use in and around the communities to the north of Cambridge.
• Safe and accessible non-motorised user (NMU) access to the existing and emerging local green networks.
• Use the Greenways initiative to expand and link to non-motorised routes between villages
• Advocate for equine usage of paths to ensure our inclusion in the decision-making and design processes
• Maintain and expand long-standing legal rights of way Equestrian access to bridleways and multi-user paths which is an ongoing concern to the equestrian communities north of Cambridge.
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Key points-
1. GCP should confirm that ‘shared use’ is as defined in all the Greenway consultation documents – available to all three vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians and ensure that the routes are designed and delivered accordingly.
2. The GCP had committed to British Horse Society, the principle of inclusion of all NMU’s on the Greenways but the North East area action plan contains no provision or reference to equestrians.
3. The GCP Assembly have said that the creation of cycle routes would not impact on the amenity of equestrians yet this NE area action plan has omitted any mention of equestrians or NMU routes.
4. Equestrians should not be excluded from any sections unless a genuine secure and safe alternative route is available to them (defaulting to the legally available option of the busy highway, already identified as unsafe for cyclists, does not count as ‘safe’)?
5. Safety audits should assess the impact of the safety of equestrians created by the NE area action plan scheme. If such audits are being performed for pedestrian/cyclist routes the same consideration must be given to equestrians so that ALL NMUs (non motorised users) are appropriately considered and their safety risk assessed.
6. The above should be applied to ALL greenway type projects.
7. There needs to be greater inclusion and less exclusion. Every time including cyclists and pedestrians are mentioned, equestrians should be too.
8. There needs to be greater consideration of joining-up existing by-ways and bridleways and planned green routes (e.g. opening the Chisholm Trail for equestrian use, would connect Ditton Meadows to the NE development and also connect onto Milton Park and onwards towards Waterbeach).
9. More specifically: Mere Way is labelled as a "off road cycle route". It is in fact a Public Byway and is longtime well-used by equestrians as it is the ONLY off-road route out of the N/NE part of the city (eg from Chesterton Fen or across Stourbridge Common from Fen Ditton or Fulbourn, all areas where many horses live) towards Landbeach/Milton. Horses do not have access to the Cam towpath which is the other offroad link or the Jane Coston bridge over the A14, thus Mere Way is an important route for equestrians. N.B It should not be assumed that the bridge on High Ditch road in Fen Ditton will provide equestrian access in the N/NE because that is under threat of massive HGV traffic if the Anglian Water treatment relocated to Honey Hill in Horningsea.
10. Specifically in relation to the area plan ambition to create sustainable travel routes and links to the wider network, it should be noted that the GCP Waterbeach greenways route enters the NE area plan along the river and then the Cambridge North railway line. The area plan recognises that solutions to provide river,A14 and railway crossings are required to enable NMUs access to the ‘wider network’. This provision/consideration/crossing designs therefore should include equestrians as well as cyclists and walkers to ensure routes truly are NMU routes. Where pedestrian/cycle bridges are mentioned in the draft plan, this must be amended to full NMU bridges to avoid exclusion of other NMU groups including equestrians.
11. Specifically, there is potentially a good natural circular route option for equestrians within the NE area plan, that also links to wider off road routes. The route runs from Waterbeach along the Waterbeach greenway, through the NE development area, across the A14 to Milton Country Park and/or Mereway and north on to Landbeach and back to Waterbeach, or various Fen Edge villages and off road routes. This would also make an excellent NMU leisure and commuter circular route linking the NE with nearby communities and beyond.
12. There are many Horse riders in the local area of NE Cambridge and the surrounding villages. There are 3 thriving riding schools within a few miles of the NE area development as well. Horse riders also include people with disabilities, for whom horse riding provides essential ability to access the countryside, overcome their physical and/or mental health challenges. Horse riding is adopted by many because of yes the enjoyment of it, but also because it provides a emotional well-being lifeline and a vast array of physiological health benefits (the British Horse Society has conclusive and interesting research on this subject).
The Waterbeach & District Bridleways group was formed in order to promote the communities’ needs with the proposed Greenways initiative and major developments in the local area, and to use that opportunity to expand access.
Our group members include equestrians from Horningsea, Waterbeach, Chittering, Landbeach, and Lode.
The group represents 150 riders from Waterbeach itself (including riders attending the village riding school Hall Farm Stables) and an additional c50 riders from the surrounding villages plus the College of West Anglia. It also represents some 200 horses owned by these riders and riding establishments. Roughly 50% of group members are British Horse Society members.
Goals for our advocacy
• To support equine use in and around the communities to the north of Cambridge.
• Safe and accessible non-motorised user (NMU) access to the existing and emerging local green networks.
• Use the Greenways initiative to expand and link to non-motorised routes between villages
• Advocate for equine usage of paths to ensure our inclusion in the decision-making and design processes
• Maintain and expand long-standing legal rights of way Equestrian access to bridleways and multi-user paths which is an ongoing concern to the equestrian communities north of Cambridge.
****
Key points-
1. GCP should confirm that ‘shared use’ is as defined in all the Greenway consultation documents – available to all three vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians and ensure that the routes are designed and delivered accordingly.
2. The GCP had committed to British Horse Society, the principle of inclusion of all NMU’s on the Greenways but the North East area action plan contains no provision or reference to equestrians.
3. The GCP Assembly have said that the creation of cycle routes would not impact on the amenity of equestrians yet this NE area action plan has omitted any mention of equestrians or NMU routes.
4. Equestrians should not be excluded from any sections unless a genuine secure and safe alternative route is available to them (defaulting to the legally available option of the busy highway, already identified as unsafe for cyclists, does not count as ‘safe’)?
5. Safety audits should assess the impact of the safety of equestrians created by the NE area action plan scheme. If such audits are being performed for pedestrian/cyclist routes the same consideration must be given to equestrians so that ALL NMUs (non motorised users) are appropriately considered and their safety risk assessed.
6. The above should be applied to ALL greenway type projects.
7. There needs to be greater inclusion and less exclusion. Every time including cyclists and pedestrians are mentioned, equestrians should be too.
8. There needs to be greater consideration of joining-up existing by-ways and bridleways and planned green routes (e.g. opening the Chisholm Trail for equestrian use, would connect Ditton Meadows to the NE development and also connect onto Milton Park and onwards towards Waterbeach).
9. More specifically: Mere Way is labelled as a "off road cycle route". It is in fact a Public Byway and is longtime well-used by equestrians as it is the ONLY off-road route out of the N/NE part of the city (eg from Chesterton Fen or across Stourbridge Common from Fen Ditton or Fulbourn, all areas where many horses live) towards Landbeach/Milton. Horses do not have access to the Cam towpath which is the other offroad link or the Jane Coston bridge over the A14, thus Mere Way is an important route for equestrians. N.B It should not be assumed that the bridge on High Ditch road in Fen Ditton will provide equestrian access in the N/NE because that is under threat of massive HGV traffic if the Anglian Water treatment relocated to Honey Hill in Horningsea.
10. Specifically in relation to the area plan ambition to create sustainable travel routes and links to the wider network, it should be noted that the GCP Waterbeach greenways route enters the NE area plan along the river and then the Cambridge North railway line. The area plan recognises that solutions to provide river,A14 and railway crossings are required to enable NMUs access to the ‘wider network’. This provision/consideration/crossing designs therefore should include equestrians as well as cyclists and walkers to ensure routes truly are NMU routes. Where pedestrian/cycle bridges are mentioned in the draft plan, this must be amended to full NMU bridges to avoid exclusion of other NMU groups including equestrians.
11. Specifically, there is potentially a good natural circular route option for equestrians within the NE area plan, that also links to wider off road routes. The route runs from Waterbeach along the Waterbeach greenway, through the NE development area, across the A14 to Milton Country Park and/or Mereway and north on to Landbeach and back to Waterbeach, or various Fen Edge villages and off road routes. This would also make an excellent NMU leisure and commuter circular route linking the NE with nearby communities and beyond.
12. There are many Horse riders in the local area of NE Cambridge and the surrounding villages. There are 3 thriving riding schools within a few miles of the NE area development as well. Horse riders also include people with disabilities, for whom horse riding provides essential ability to access the countryside, overcome their physical and/or mental health challenges. Horse riding is adopted by many because of yes the enjoyment of it, but also because it provides a emotional well-being lifeline and a vast array of physiological health benefits (the British Horse Society has conclusive and interesting research on this subject).
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 53293
Received: 02/10/2020
Respondent: Old Chesterton Residents' Association
The failure to recognise the existing deficiencies of the transport network and address them is the greatest weakness of the action plan at present. Wishful thinking will not prevent those deficiencies continuing to be a burden on local communities. The Fen Road level crossing is a major constraint on East Chesterton and Chesterton Fen with its growing domestic and busiess activity. Local people have identified a suitable solution without which much of the potential benefit of an area action plan will not be realised until it is included. The level crossing must be bypassed so that the increased rail traffic can move freely and so can local traffic. The simplest method appears to be a road into Chesterton Fen aligned with the A14 to join the Fen end of Fen Road and more suitable to the traffic currently using the level crossing. Chesterton comprises several working communities for whom cycle paths and cycling infrastructure are simply inadequate. Their needs should also be addressed.
The failure to recognise the existing deficiencies of the transport network and address them is the greatest weakness of the action plan at present. Wishful thinking will not prevent those deficiencies continuing to be a burden on local communities. The Fen Road level crossing is a major constraint on East Chesterton and Chesterton Fen with its growing domestic and busiess activity. Local people have identified a suitable solution without which much of the potential benefit of an area action plan will not be realised until it is included. The level crossing must be bypassed so that the increased rail traffic can move freely and so can local traffic. The simplest method appears to be a road into Chesterton Fen aligned with the A14 to join the Fen end of Fen Road and more suitable to the traffic currently using the level crossing. Chesterton comprises several working communities for whom cycle paths and cycling infrastructure are simply inadequate. Their needs should also be addressed.
Object
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 54054
Received: 04/10/2020
Respondent: Mrs Tamsin Beevor
Fen Road is a key cycle access route from the city generally to the Science Park, and to Cambridge North Station. The level crossing on Fen Road is a major impediment to businesses on Fen Road and makes Fen Road a dangerous and intimidating cycle route. Any development which does not include provision of vehicular crossing of the railway will make the existing situation worse. This issue must be addressed if the scheme is to claim that it is connected to the wider network.
Fen Road is a key cycle access route from the city generally to the Science Park, and to Cambridge North Station. The level crossing on Fen Road is a major impediment to businesses on Fen Road and makes Fen Road a dangerous and intimidating cycle route. Any development which does not include provision of vehicular crossing of the railway will make the existing situation worse. This issue must be addressed if the scheme is to claim that it is connected to the wider network.
Support
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 54337
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: mr paul murray john
I agree with the vital importance of good connectivity and with the bulk of the proposals. However, I strongly support the benefits of bridges compared to underpasses, which can be dark, uninviting, and dangerous at night.
I agree with the vital importance of good connectivity and with the bulk of the proposals. However, I strongly support the benefits of bridges compared to underpasses, which can be dark, uninviting, and dangerous at night.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 54522
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Camcycle agrees with the principles given for new structures including underpasses and bridges and note that all new cycle infrastructure must be designed in accordance with Local Transport Note 1/20. We note that it is not just new structures that ‘should incorporate enough capacity to accommodate existing and future user demands for pedestrians, cyclists (and, where appropriate, horse riders) of all abilities’ – all connections should be assessed on these grounds and improved as necessary. This should include improvements to the Jane Coston bridge, a new road connection from Chesterton Fen (to free up roadspace for cycling and walking along Fen Road towards the Riverside and city centre, and better connections to the Chisholm Trail) and an improved junction on Kings Hedges Road at Cambridge Regional College. We would also support item (i) – the bridge crossing of Milton Road being a high-quality, wide green bridge to improve connectivity and biodiversity across this barrier.
Camcycle agrees with the principles given for new structures including underpasses and bridges and note that all new cycle infrastructure must be designed in accordance with Local Transport Note 1/20. We note that it is not just new structures that ‘should incorporate enough capacity to accommodate existing and future user demands for pedestrians, cyclists (and, where appropriate, horse riders) of all abilities’ – all connections should be assessed on these grounds and improved as necessary. This should include improvements to the Jane Coston bridge, a new road connection from Chesterton Fen (to free up roadspace for cycling and walking along Fen Road towards the Riverside and city centre, and better connections to the Chisholm Trail) and an improved junction on Kings Hedges Road at Cambridge Regional College. We would also support item (i) – the bridge crossing of Milton Road being a high-quality, wide green bridge to improve connectivity and biodiversity across this barrier.
Object
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 54623
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Dencora Trinity LLP
Agent: Carter Jonas
Policy 17J (Object)
As an aspiration an improved pedestrian and cycling crossing should be delivered at the intersection between Milton Road and the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is supported, but further work needs to be undertaken to identify the scope, extent and purpose of such infrastructure works as part of the AAP before becoming enshrined in policy. Without such detailed work there has to be a question mark about delivery and how connections with nearby schemes can be integrated with routes.
Policy 17J (Object)
As an aspiration an improved pedestrian and cycling crossing should be delivered at the intersection between Milton Road and the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is supported, but further work needs to be undertaken to identify the scope, extent and purpose of such infrastructure works as part of the AAP before becoming enshrined in policy. Without such detailed work there has to be a question mark about delivery and how connections with nearby schemes can be integrated with routes.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55691
Received: 02/10/2020
Respondent: St John's College
Agent: Savills
Neutral:
Safe crossing of Milton Road is important but this does not necessarily need to be a new bridge as referenced in Policy 16 and shown on Figure 36, or the two new crossings (one likely to be an underpass and one likely to be a bridge) plus an improved junction where Milton Road meets the guided busway as indicated on the plan on page 14 and Figure 37 on page 190. Further work should inform the most appropriate solution(s).
Improved connections to the wider network, and specifically improvements to the links to and from the existing Jane Coston Bridge over the A14 to reduce the current conflicts with motor vehicles, are supported.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55728
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Brookgate
Agent: Bidwells
Neutral:
The possible interventions shown on Figure 37 and identified in Policy 17 are
broadly similar to those in Table 55 of Transport Evidence Base AAP Report
(September 2019).
Brookgate support the proposed internal and external interventions identified in
Policy 17 which will help sites come forward in accordance with the aspirations of
the AAP and within the trip/parking budgets. The emphasis must be the promotion
of non-car and active modes of travel and delivering a highly connected, and
accessible development by walking, cycling and public transport.
However, blanket financial contributions by developers towards an overall package
of interventions may not be appropriate given the geography of the AAP study
area, the range of interventions proposed and the delay associated with
implementing any charging schedule or equivalent. The current AAP developers
forum and emerging transport assessment process will assist developers in
understanding the value of interventions for their sites. This will help inform which
interventions developers should target for funding
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55824
Received: 03/10/2020
Respondent: British Horse Society
To improve the wider connectivity between North East Cambridge and adjoining areas including nearby villages, Cambridge city centre, employment and residential areas, and open spaces within the wider countryside and Rights of Way network development will be required to contribute to new and improved connections for non-motorised users, as shown on Figure 37. The following new and improved provision must be incorporated early in the design stages and layout of the development:
This refers to non motorised users but there is no reference whatsoever to equestrians. The British Horse Society has consulted and advised throughout the early stages of this project but its input and comments have been completely ignored. This is totally unacceptable. There is not one horse shown on Fig 37 despite a reference to provision for horse riders (with, of course, the usual caveat ‘where appropriate’) in connection with structures. These proposals fail to meet the requirements of the Equal Opportunities Act by excluding one group of NMU’s.
Support
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55909
Received: 02/10/2020
Respondent: GCR Camprop Nine Ltd
Agent: Carter Jonas
Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to
neighbouring areas. The site at 127-136 Cambridge Science Park would be well related to the
following proposed connection improvements: crossing points over the Guided Busway; new crossing on
Milton Road; and, improved junction on Milton Road for pedestrian and cycle movements. Proposed
connection improvements are supported and we agree that these should encourage increased travel by
walking and cycling from Cambridge Science Park.
The proposed movement corridor alongside the first public drain is noted, although it is unclear
precisely which side of the drain the corridor is proposed (or indeed if it proposed along both
sides). Ownership along the northern edge of the First Public Drain in the vicinity of 127-136 is
fragmented and as such the availability of land for the delivery of such a movement corridor is not
clear. However, the proposals for the redevelopment of plot 127-136 seek to move built elements
away from the first public drain so as to facilitate such provision if necessary.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55918
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Network Rail
Policy 17, Part g) promotes the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway
to provide direct access to Chesterton Fen to the east of the railway line, and onwards to the
River Cam tow path.
GCSP will need to engage with Network Rail with regards to the proposed new pedestrian and cycle
bridge. This will enable Network Rail to advise on the railway industry review and approval
processes which would be associated to any proposed bridge scheme over railway infrastructure.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55931
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Ridgeons Timber & Builders Merchants and Turnstone Estates
Agent: Carter Jonas
Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to
neighbouring areas. As set out in the response to Policy 16, the design and layout of the proposed
strategic walking and cycling routes along Nuffield Road should avoid potential conflicts between
pedestrians and cyclists and vehicles accessing existing businesses which include the builders
merchants at the Ridgeons site.
The creation of new connections is broadly supported, provided potential conflicts between
different modes of transport can be avoided and that the existing access arrangements for
businesses that operate in the surrounding area are retained
Support
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 55979
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Hawkswren Ltd
Agent: Carter Jonas
Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to
neighbouring areas. The creation of new connections is broadly supported. The proposed
crossing of the Cambridge Guided Busway from Cowley Road to Nuffield Road is supported
because it would improve connectivity between neighbouring areas.
Object
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 56001
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Turnstone Estates Limited
Agent: Carter Jonas
Figure 37 shows proposed connections for non-motorised transport within the AAP area and to
neighbouring areas. The creation of new connections is broadly supported. The proposed
crossing of the Cambridge Guided Busway from Cowley Road to Nuffield Road is supported
because it would improve connectivity between neighbouring areas.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 56033
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: Urban&Civic Ltd
Agent: DAVID LOCK ASSOCIATES
Mere Way Sustainable Travel Link - U&C support the recognition in draft Policy 17 –
Connecting to the Wider Network – for the Mere Way link. This is an important route being
delivered by U&C as part of the Waterbeach New Town and it is vital that it is accommodated within
NEC and that the development proposals respond positively to the route. U&C are currently
progressing the detailed design of Mere Way for its implementation in accordance with the early
trigger on its outline permission. With this detailed design underway, it is essential that
ongoing work on the AAP takes into account the measures and design requirements of the
route through the western component of the AAP area. We recognise that the figures / plans
provided with the draft Regulation 18 AAP are diagrammatic, however, consider that there should be
full regard to the accurate alignment of Mere Way as it passes through NEC. This is significant
given the different ownerships at play and, whilst the route follows an existing Public Right of
Way in this location, some minor works will be required to upgrade the route. The Mere Way scheme
is understood to affect both the Cambridge Regional College ownership and the adjacent private
landowners and therefore this should be reflected on any plans showing the route for transparency.
U&C is happy to engage further on the details
f the route in this location to assist in it being accurately represented.
Comment
Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan
Representation ID: 56154
Received: 05/10/2020
Respondent: U+I PLC.
Agent: We are Town
i) Milton Road crossing: Form of crossing as yet undetermined. Adjoining landowners, whose land would be required for
construction of a bridge, are known not to favour such a crossing and delivery could therefore prove protracted. The
policy should not predetermine the nature of the crossing here.