Tag: Cambridge North Station

  • More Sunday buses – but fewer to Cambridge North

    More Sunday buses – but fewer to Cambridge North

    Changes to the Sunday Busway timetable will see buses run every 15 minutes from Impington to Cambridge City Centre, but there will be cuts to services to Cambridge North station.

    Currently, three buses an hour leave St Ives Park & Ride after 9am on Sundays, routed via Histon to Cambridge City. Two of these are on ‘B’ routes past Cambridge North station.

    From Sunday 20 April, the frequency and capacity from St Ives will be increased, with four buses per hour into the city. Three of these will be on ‘A’ routes via Orchard Park, but the number of buses on the ‘B’ route will be reduced to one per hour.

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    The new timetable will apply to Sunday buses during the day, but not early mornings or evenings. A Stagecoach East spokesperson told HI HUB: “…when coming out of Cambridge New Square the extra services will start at 10.36am and finish at 6.31pm.”

    As the changes will take place over the Easter weekend, when Sunday services apply on the public holidays, the current timetable will run on Good Friday, but the new timetable will be in place on both Easter Sunday and Monday.

    Congestion changes

    Other Busway changes coming into service from 20 April are being made to give more time to allow for traffic congestion in Cambridge.

    Service B will see minor timetable updates at peak times and Service A will travel to St Ives via Park Terrace instead of Gonville Place.

    Ross Barton, Operations Director at Stagecoach East, is calling for more action to tackle congestion. He said: “We only ever make changes to our timetables after considering every option, but the fact is that congestion in and out of Cambridge means that our buses just cannot meet the times set on existing timetables.

    “We know what an important artery the Busway is for people needing to travel into Cambridge, so I would call on everyone concerned with our local roads to continue to work together to avoid delays.

    “We live and operate in a dynamic, forward-looking city, and the Busway is an essential part of that, so we need to make sure that buses are able to get through.”

    To check the Busway timetable see the Stagecoach website

  • Cycle theft steals Impington man’s independence

    The theft of a hand cycle from Cambridge North railway station will have a major impact on the independence of HI resident, wheelchair user Marko Velić.

    The hand cycle enabled Marko to travel independently, avoiding the need to use, very often full, buses and making local journeys, including the school, run easier.

    It was stolen from the cycle park at Cambridge North, which is the least secure station in Britain, with 143 bike thefts reported in 2023.

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    Marko’s bike was locked there on Thursday 13 February at 6.30am, but the lock was cut through and the bike was gone when he returned to the station around 8pm that same evening.

    His wife Jenny told HI HUB: “Marko had already had a challenging journey home, having had to get a taxi home from Cambridge station due to faulty lifts at Cambridge North rendering the platform inaccessible.

    “On discovering that his bike had been stolen he reported it directly to the police but there was no one on duty at Cambridge North for him to talk to.” 

    Hybrid model

    Hand cycle similar to the one stolen. Photo from manufacturer website. www.invictusactive.com/product/quickie-attitude-hybrid-handcycle/

    Marko has been using a hand cycle to help him get around for over 15 years and has left it locked in many locations including Cambridge North on numerous occasions, without incident.

    The one that was stolen is a hybrid model that he bought around two years ago. It enables him to use his arm power, aided with a boost from the battery when needed, such as for longer journeys or when the gradient or wind is against him.

    An expensive piece of kit, it was custom built to fit Marko’s particular wheelchair. It is unwieldy and heavy to move, and will have little value to a thief.

    An appeal to readers

    Talking to HI HUB, Jenny explained: “Unfortunately the hand cycle model stolen looks like it is no longer made for the UK market and we will have a difficult time finding a similar replacement.

    “This latest one took 10 months to be custom built and with the current shortages of various components it will likely take a year for a new one to be ready from order. So, all in all, a massive blow that will have a major impact on Marko’s day to day life for quite some time to come.

    “It would be very helpful if any of your readers have seen anything that might help locate the hand cycle. We had not realised the extent to which cycle theft was a problem at Cambridge North – we really hope that there is more action taken to make this a safe location to commute from.”

    Greater Anglia, operator for Cambridge North station, was approached for comment.

    The crime number for this incident is 35/10779/25. If anybody knows of the item’s whereabouts, or has any information surrounding this theft, please contact Cambs Police. Alternatively you can email the HI HUB news team on news@hihub.info