Tag: Traffic

  • Temporary lights cause traffic “chaos” on the B1049

    Severe traffic jams on Bridge Road Impington could continue until 10 February due to planned ‘Utility Repair and Maintenance Works’ by UK Power Networks.

    The main road over the bridge by the football ground is down to a single lane and three-way temporary traffic lights are in place at the junction of the B1049 with New Road.

    The works are causing huge tailbacks and anger among local residents reporting severe delays in both directions.

    Google Maps is proposing diversions down Station Road and Impington Lane to avoid the lights and the jams.

    Residents’ anger

    When the works were set up, some residents took to social media to try to warn others of the “chaos”. One reported that setting up the lane closure began at 7.30am on Wednesday 5 Feb. Another commented “by 9am [I] couldn’t get out from dropping daughter off at IVC so ended up turning around and going toward Milton P&R to access the A14”

    The problems continued much later in the day, with a report of traffic backing up to the Holiday Inn at 4.45pm and another resident commenting that “the whole system failed as we approached them at about 7.30pm!”

    A cyclist passing the queues during the morning rush hour on Thursday 6 February said: “The road into Cambridge is backed up a very long way. I can’t imagine how any motorist is going to get to work on time.”

    UK Power Networks have apologised for the inconvenience caused by the roadworks, recognising that “this is a busy area”. They explained: “Our engineers have repaired an underground electricity cable, so traffic lights are being used for everyone’s safety until our contractors finish resurfacing the road. 

    “The site is due to be cleared by 10 February, but this will be done sooner if at all possible.”

  • Brief road closure will see Histon Road upgrade completed

    Parts of the road will be closed at night in both directions as final resurfacing work is carried out in preparation for a full reopening.

    The Greater Cambridge Partnership is predicting that the Histon Road into Cambridge will be fully reopened to all traffic by mid-October.

    Since June 2020 the B1049 has been closed to Cambridge-bound motor vehicles while work has been ongoing to improve cycling, walking and public transport journeys along the route beyond Kings Hedges Road.

    Although the southern section of Histon Road from the Windsor Road junction to Huntingdon Road has already reopened to two-way traffic, the northern section around the Gilbert Road junction and up to the Kings Hedges Road junction is unfinished. A final set of overnight road closures will be needed to complete the work there.

    From now until 20th September the road will be closed in both directions in the evenings and overnight between 8pm and 6am on the short stretch between the Windsor Road junction and Gilbert Road junction.

    Then next week will see the closure of the whole road between the Gilbert Road junction and Kings Hedges Road. From 20th September to 8th October, traffic signs will divert motorists via the A14, Milton Road and Victoria Road between 8pm and 6am. The road will remain open to pedestrians and cycles in both directions, though traffic managers may ask cyclists to dismount and walk along pavements in the sections where active resurfacing is taking place.

    The overnight closures will also affect the Citi 8 and Busway B bus routes. Stagecoach has announced that the Citi 8 will be changing its route after 8pm and passengers from Cambridge are being advised to use the bus stop at the Westbrook Centre on Milton Road for travel to Impington and Histon.

    READ ALSO: Histon Road inbound traffic closure imminent

    chris

    ,

  • Active travel – have your say on future planning consultation

    New proposals would see the middle section of Station Road closed to motor vehicles travelling south. County Councillor Ros Hathorn urges residents to have their say in a public consultation.

    The pandemic gave us a glimpse of living in a low traffic world; families walking and cycling around the village, empty roads, low levels of traffic noise, parents more relaxed on the streets. The village felt calmer and shopping locally by bike felt good.

    I was not the only one to notice the change. Confronted with the twin perils of a national health crisis and the climate emergency the government is encouraging active travel, announcing ‘PM kickstarts £2bn cycling and walking revolution’

    Among the schemes proposed – all funded by central government – is one for Histon & Impington, and a consultation is running so please get involved and share your thoughts.

    The scheme

    The section of Station Road after the Baptist church towards Firs House surgery is narrow and is normally lined with parked cars. Under the proposed scheme ‘modal filters’ will be placed on Station Road near the War Memorial/ Baptist church, and this stretch of road, by The Geographer and Firs House Surgery, will become a no through road to southbound motor vehicles.

    Cyclists, pedestrians, mobility scooter users etc will have full access, but motorists travelling south through the village from the High Street will have to detour along Bridge Road (B1049) to access this middle part of Station Road and those travelling from the south to the High Street will also, instead, have to use the B1049.  There will, however, be full access to this stretch for all vehicles from the Chequers Road/ Firs House surgery end.

    A Cambridge modal filter, using planters. Photo: Cycling Dad UK

    ‘Modal filters’ determine the types of traffic that can access a stretch of road, but are designed not to impact on emergency services access. They are positioned so that bikes, cargo bikes etc can get round them, but the road is blocked for cars and other motor vehicles. In Cambridge, some schemes use large planters for this. The Bell Hill trial has used a water filled barrier which is less attractive, but cheap and good for trialling changes. The proposals here are for a barrier on both lanes of Station Road in line with the Baptist Church car park with a water filled barrier (like on Bell Hill) blocking the southbound lane which is removable for emergency access and a barrier to stop cars and vans on the northbound lane.   

    The consultation points out that the bus stops outside the Baptist church will be lost under this scheme, and this is a downside of the proposal. If the modal filter was a camera the bus stops might be saved as it would allow bus access to continue, but this option is expensive so the consultation is important for gathering views. The loss of this bus stop is a concern and, if you think this is important, please add your voice to the request for a camera modal filter – or just express clearly how important you feel this bus stop is.

    Safer, quicker, easier

    This is not a ‘traffic scheme’, but an active travel scheme that will encourage our community to be people focussed rather than car focussed, and support people to cycle or walk.

    Although it will make some car and van journeys slightly longer, it will make active travel more attractive and the easier, quicker, choice for those who can walk and cycle. For those who rely on a car, low traffic environments are also safer as there are fewer other cars.

    Despite the infant school relocation, Station Road remains a key school route and safety is a major concern. Those cycling north towards the High Street meet a stream of drivers coming towards them, and high traffic levels at the Cambridge Road/ Bridge Road junction by the camel sculpture junction confirm that large numbers of drivers use that route as a rat run.

    For drivers on the High Street turning right at Station Road currently presents an attractive alternative to waiting for the zebra crossing and queuing at the traffic lights to join the B1049. By turning into Station Road those cars are driving head on into the flow of families cycling and walking to school. There is not enough room for cars to safely pass cyclists but they regularly try and there are many reports from parents on social media and in conversation about near misses on Station Road.

    This proposed scheme will make Station Road a significantly less attractive rat run as drivers would have to join the busy traffic on Water Lane/B1049 at the war memorial junction from an uncontrolled crossing, which can be difficult.

    Wider impact

    There are concerns that this proposal would push more traffic onto the B1049 and make other places busier, but previous road closures suggest this may not make a significant difference. The B1049/ High Street junction was closed for a number of weeks 2 years ago when the junction was modified. Whilst there were initially traffic jams at peak times, after about 3 days the traffic jams disappeared. It seemed as though those using Histon and Impington as a cut-through found alternative routes when Histon and Impington became less convenient.

    There are also implication for residents. Traffic noise will drop and the area would feel a lot calmer, so parents should feel more confident about their children moving freely in the space. Residents will, though, have to drive further to access the centre of the village.

    For wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and those with mobility issues, these measures should make this stretch a more pleasant accessible space to move around. If crossing the road is challenging – for example with a large buggy or if you move slowly – it is easier in a low traffic environment. On the downside, some disabled drivers will have to drive slightly further.

    Neighbourhood plan

    The neighbourhood plan was recently voted through with over 90% of voters in favour. A community where people walked and cycled locally was a key theme. The shift to active travel will not just magically happen, we need to restructure where we live. Our spaces must be people not car focussed.

    On this basis, my assessment is that the positives significantly outweigh the negatives:

    • Station Road Dental surgery – no negative impact
    • Firs House Doctors surgery – no negative impact
    • Pharmacy – possibly some impact, but trade is closely connected to prescriptions from Firs House
    • The Geographer (sadly now closed) was always largely used by locals. Whilst there may be some impact on passing trade, these changes would also create new opportunities. The outside area was always well used and there may be an opportunity to spread tables further onto the road in a low traffic environment.

    If you have strong feelings about this proposal please comment on the consultation now. This is your opportunity to have a say make your voice heard. Consultation closes 24 August 2021.

    Access the consultation online at https://consultcambs.uk.engagementhq.com/cats

  • Concerns grow over Park Primary traffic dangers

    Concerns grow over Park Primary traffic dangers

    A litany of road safety and parking issues have arisen around the new Histon & Impington Park Primary School since it moved to its new building on Glebe Way, the main B1049 road to Cottenham.

    Major concerns have arisen about the speed of traffic passing the entrance to the school and the adequacy of safety measures.

    The problems have led head teacher Jonathan Newman to survey parents and carers about their concerns and write to neighbours about the measures being taken by the school to address the problems, with a list of suggested improvements.

    He said: “I am sure that you will understand that currently a significant amount of my time is taken up with dealing with issues around traffic and parking and many of these are completely out of my control. We do however want to work, wherever possible, with local residents and we will endeavour to keep you informed of any developments moving forward.”

    Local councillors are in discussion with the school about the problems and a public meeting will be arranged with County Councillor Ros Hathorn.    

    Safety issues

    Speedwatch volunteers have been monitoring traffic approaching the school crossing and found that between 5 and 10% of vehicles passing the school entrance are speeding, mostly between 35 and 40mph, though one was clocked at 53mph.

    A Speedwatch coordinator commented: “People just don’t seem to realise that they are over the limit, and of course you will always get those who are in a rush. 

    “Our aim is to be overt as a reminder to people that they should be at the correct speed limit in our village to ensure safety of all our residents. The police will also attend and carry out sessions where they can issue fines, if there is a particular problem area.”

    The school is encouraging parents and carers to raise their concerns with the Highways department at Road.Safety@cambridgeshire.gov.uk and to lobby the local authority. It would favour a 20mph speed limit and is awaiting written feedback from a formal Road Safety Audit that has taken place. In the meanwhile, the speed warning signs, which were initially placed too close to the crossing and also currently have the wrong form of display, will be replaced further away from the crossing.

    As a result of earlier lobbying, the length of crossing time at the traffic light outside the school was increased by 40% in February, and the school is hopeful that its request for double yellow lines on Cottenham Road will also be successful.

    At the crossing itself, the width of the path is thought to be too narrow, and the school is hoping that an adjacent verge will be either tarmacked or slabbed to address this.

    Parents and carers believe the pedestrian barriers at the crossing are too short, but the Highways authority is adamant that such barriers cause more problems than they solve, due to the risk of pedestrians becoming trapped against the railings as they cross the road. They have been progressively been removing similar pedestrian railings elsewhere in the interest of safety.

    The introduction of speed bumps has also been suggested, but neighbours are concerned that these would create a wider problem due to the noise levels from large commercial vehicles.

    Parking

    In the school survey, some parents complained of a lack of sympathy for people who have to drive to school.

    Local residents have been raising concerns about the need for parking in the area and Parish Councillor Yvonne Murray and Edd Stonham of Greenleas Estate Management Ltd have been working with the headteacher and the children in the School Eco Group to create signs for the Greenleas Estate about where not to park.

    The school is also drawing up a 5 minute/10-minute walking map to identify more places for parents/carers to park safely.

    The Parish Council is encouraging the community to a look at the suggestions and issues raised in the head teacher’s letter and responses have been received to a post on its website. Several of these also relate to parking. 

    One comment raises problems caused by “a staff car park with inadequate capacity” and notes that “these potential problems were brought up time and time again by residents during the planning consultation for the new school. It rather makes a mockery of planning consultation when important issues like these apparently fall on deaf ears!”

    Another points out that some parents have no option but to drop their children at the school by car: “I was able to cycle whilst we were in lockdown but now must work at the office in Cambridge, starting at 9.30. To arrive on time, I have to drive. I am left with no option but to park on nearby residential roads which understandably frustrates those that live there, despite my attempts to be as considerate as possible… the location was a poor choice.”